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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/20431-8.txt b/20431-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4882244 --- /dev/null +++ b/20431-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4564 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Tale of Beowulf, by Anonymous, Translated +by William Morris and Alfred John Wyatt + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Tale of Beowulf + Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: January 23, 2007 [eBook #20431] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF BEOWULF*** + + +E-text prepared by Louise Hope, R. Cedron, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/c/) + + + +Transcriber's note: + + In the printed book, line numbering was determined by the physical + length of a line. Sometimes the numbered line was one or even two + lines above or below the nearest multiple of 10. Where a stanza ended + on a multiple of 10, the first line of the following stanza was + numbered instead. Line numbers have been regularized for this e-text. + + + + + +THE TALE OF BEOWULF +Sometime King of the +Folk of the Weder Geats + +Translated by + +WILLIAM MORRIS and A. J. WYATT + + + + + + + +Longmans, Green, and Co. +39 Paternoster Row, London +New York and Bombay +MCMIV + +Bibliographical Note + +First printed at the Kelmscott Press, January 1895 +Ordinary Edition . . . . . . . . . . . August 1898 +Reprinted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 1904 + + + + +ARGUMENT + +Hrothgar, king of the Danes, lives happily and peacefully, and bethinks +him to build a glorious hall called Hart. But a little after, one +Grendel, of the kindred of the evil wights that are come of Cain, hears +the merry noise of Hart and cannot abide it; so he enters thereinto by +night, and slays and carries off and devours thirty of Hrothgar's +thanes. Thereby he makes Hart waste for twelve years, and the tidings of +this mishap are borne wide about lands. Then comes to the helping of +Hrothgar Beowulf, the son of Ecgtheow, a thane of King Hygelac of the +Geats, with fourteen fellows. They are met on the shore by the +land-warder, and by him shown to Hart and the stead of Hrothgar, who +receives them gladly, and to whom Beowulf tells his errand, that he will +help him against Grendel. They feast in the hall, and one Unferth, son +of Ecglaf, taunts Beowulf through jealousy that he was outdone by Breca +in swimming. Beowulf tells the true tale thereof. And a little after, at +nightfall, Hrothgar and his folk leave the hall Hart, and it is given in +charge to Beowulf, who with his Geats abides there the coming of +Grendel. + +Soon comes Grendel to the hall, and slays a man of the Geats, hight +Handshoe, and then grapples with Beowulf, who will use no weapon against +him: Grendel feels himself over-mastered and makes for the door, and +gets out, but leaves his hand and arm behind him with Beowulf: men on +the wall hear the great noise of this battle and the wailing of Grendel. +In the morning the Danes rejoice, and follow the bloody slot of Grendel, +and return to Hart racing and telling old tales, as of Sigemund and the +Worm. Then come the king and his thanes to look on the token of victory, +Grendel's hand and arm, which Beowulf has let fasten: to the hall-gable. + +The king praises Beowulf and rewards him, and they feast in Hart, and +the tale of Finn and Hengest is told. Then Hrothgar leaves Hart, and so +does Beowulf also with his Geats, but the Danes keep guard there. + +In the night comes in Grendel's Mother, and catches up Aeschere, a thane +of Hrothgar, and carries him off to her lair. In the morning is Beowulf +fetched to Hrothgar, who tells him of this new grief and craves his +help. + +Then they follow up the slot and come to a great water-side, and find +thereby Aeschere's head, and the place is known for the lair of those +two: monsters are playing in the deep, and Beowulf shoots one of them to +death. Then Beowulf dights him and leaps into the water, and is a day's +while reaching the bottom. There he is straightway caught hold of by +Grendel's Mother, who bears him into her hall. When he gets free he +falls on her, but the edge of the sword Hrunting (lent to him by +Unferth) fails him, and she casts him to the ground and draws her sax to +slay him; but he rises up, and sees an old sword of the giants hanging +on the wall; he takes it and smites off her head therewith. He sees +Grendel lying dead, and his head also he strikes off; but the blade of +the sword is molten in his venomous blood. Then Beowulf strikes upward, +taking with him the head of Grendel and the hilts of the sword. When he +comes to the shore he finds his Geats there alone; for the Danes fled +when they saw the blood floating in the water. + +They go up to Hrothgar's stead, and four men must needs bear the head. +They come to Hrothgar, and Beowulf gives him the hilts and tells him +what he has done. Much praise is given to Beowulf; and they feast +together. + +On the morrow Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar, more gifts are given, +and messages are sent to Hygelac: Beowulf departs with the full love of +Hrothgar. The Geats come to their ship and reward the ship-warder, and +put off and sail to their own land. Beowulf comes to Hygelac's house. +Hygelac is told of, and his wife Hygd, and her good conditions, against +whom is set as a warning the evil Queen Thrytho. + +Beowulf tells all the tale of his doings in full to Hygelac, and gives +him his gifts, and the precious-gemmed collar to Hygd. Here is told of +Beowulf, and how he was contemned in his youth, and is now grown so +renowned. + +Time wears; Hygelac is slain in battle; Heardred, his son, reigns in his +stead, he is slain by the Swedes, and Beowulf is made king. When he is +grown old, and has been king for fifty years, come new tidings. A great +dragon finds on the sea-shore a mound wherein is stored the treasure of +ancient folk departed. The said dragon abides there, and broods the gold +for 300 years. + +Now a certain thrall, who had misdone against his lord and was fleeing +from his wrath, haps on the said treasure and takes a cup thence, which +he brings to his lord to appease his wrath. The Worm waketh, and findeth +his treasure lessened, but can find no man who hath done the deed. +Therefore he turns on the folk, and wars on them, and burns Beowulf's +house. + +Now Beowulf will go and meet the Worm. He has an iron shield made, and +sets forth with eleven men and the thrall the thirteenth. He comes to +the ness, and speaks to his men, telling them of his past days, and +gives them his last greeting: then he cries out a challenge to the Worm, +who comes forth, and the battle begins: Beowulf's sword will not bite on +the Worm. Wiglaf eggs on the others to come to Beowulf's help, and goes +himself straightway, and offers himself to Beowulf; the Worm comes on +again, and Beowulf breaks his sword Nęgling on him, and the Worm wounds +Beowulf. Wiglaf smites the Worm in the belly; Beowulf draws his ax, and +between them they slay the Worm. + +Beowulf now feels his wounds, and knows that he is hurt deadly; he sits +down by the wall, and Wiglaf bathes his wounds. Beowulf speaks, tells +how he would give his armour to his son if he had one; thanks God that +he has not sworn falsely or done guilefully; and prays Wiglaf to bear +out the treasure that he may see it before he dies. + +Wiglaf fetches out the treasure, and again bathes Beowulf's wounds; +Beowulf speaks again, rejoices over the sight of the treasure; gives to +Wiglaf his ring and his armour, and bids the manner of his bale-fire. +With that he passes away. Now the dastards come thereto and find Wiglaf +vainly bathing his dead lord. He casteth shame upon them with great +wrath. Thence he sends a messenger to the barriers of the town, who +comes to the host, and tells them of the death of Beowulf. He tells +withal of the old feud betwixt the Geats and the Swedes, and how these, +when they hear of the death of the king, will be upon them. The warriors +go to look on Beowulf, and find him and the Worm lying dead together. +Wiglaf chooses out seven of them to go void the treasure-house, after +having bidden them gather wood for the bale-fire. They shove the Worm +over the cliff into the sea, and bear off the treasure in wains. Then +they bring Beowulf's corpse to bale, and they kindle it; a woman called +the wife of aforetime, it may be Hygd, widow of Hygelac, bemoans him: +and twelve children of the athelings ride round the bale, and bemoan +Beowulf and praise him: and thus ends the poem. + + + + +THE STORY OF BEOWULF + + + + + I. AND FIRST OF THE KINDRED OF HROTHGAR. + + + What! we of the Spear-Danes of yore days, so was it + That we learn'd of the fair fame of kings of the folks + And the athelings a-faring in framing of valour. + Oft then Scyld the Sheaf-son from the hosts of the scathers, + From kindreds a many the mead-settles tore; + It was then the earl fear'd them, sithence was he first + Found bare and all-lacking; so solace he bided, + Wax'd under the welkin in worship to thrive, + Until it was so that the round-about sitters + All over the whale-road must hearken his will 10 + And yield him the tribute. A good king was that, + By whom then thereafter a son was begotten, + A youngling in garth, whom the great God sent thither + To foster the folk; and their crime-need he felt + The load that lay on them while lordless they lived + For a long while and long. He therefore, the Life-lord, + The Wielder of glory, world's worship he gave him: + Brim Beowulf waxed, and wide the weal upsprang + Of the offspring of Scyld in the parts of the Scede-lands. + Such wise shall a youngling with wealth be a-working 20 + With goodly fee-gifts toward the friends of his father, + That after in eld-days shall ever bide with him, + Fair fellows well-willing when wendeth the war-tide, + Their lief lord a-serving. By praise-deeds it shall be + That in each and all kindreds a man shall have thriving. + Then went his ways Scyld when the shapen while was, + All hardy to wend him to the lord and his warding: + Out then did they bear him to the side of the sea-flood, + The dear fellows of him, as he himself pray'd them + While yet his word wielded the friend of the Scyldings, 30 + The dear lord of the land; a long while had he own'd it. + With stem all be-ringed at the hythe stood the ship, + All icy and out-fain, the Atheling's ferry. + There then did they lay him, the lord well beloved, + The gold-rings' bestower, within the ship's barm, + The mighty by mast. Much there was the treasure, + From far ways forsooth had the fret-work been led: + Never heard I of keel that was comelier dighted + With weapons of war, and with weed of the battle, + With bills and with byrnies. There lay in his barm 40 + Much wealth of the treasure that with him should be, + And he into the flood's might afar to depart. + No lesser a whit were the wealth-goods they dight him + Of the goods of the folk, than did they who aforetime, + When was the beginning, first sent him away + Alone o'er the billows, and he but a youngling. + Moreover they set him up there a sign golden + High up overhead, and let the holm bear him, + Gave all to the Spearman. Sad mind they had in them, + And mourning their mood was. Now never knew men, 50 + For sooth how to say it, rede-masters in hall, + Or heroes 'neath heaven, to whose hands came the lading. + + + + + II. CONCERNING HROTHGAR, + AND HOW HE BUILT THE HOUSE CALLED HART. + ALSO GRENDEL IS TOLD OF. + + + In the burgs then was biding Beowulf the Scylding, + Dear King of the people, for long was he dwelling + Far-famed of folks (his father turn'd elsewhere, + From his stead the Chief wended) till awoke to him after + Healfdene the high, and long while he held it, + Ancient and war-eager, o'er the glad Scyldings: + Of his body four bairns are forth to him rimed; + Into the world woke the leader of war-hosts 60 + Heorogar; eke Hrothgar, and Halga the good; + Heard I that Elan queen was she of Ongentheow, + That Scylding of battle, the bed-mate behalsed. + Then was unto Hrothgar the war-speed given, + Such worship of war that his kin and well-willers + Well hearken'd his will till the younglings were waxen, + A kin-host a many. Then into his mind ran + That he would be building for him now a hall-house, + That men should be making a mead-hall more mighty + Than the children of ages had ever heard tell of: 70 + And there within eke should he be out-dealing + To young and to old all things God had given, + Save the share of the folk and the life-days of men. + Then heard I that widely the work was a-banning + To kindreds a many the Middle-garth over + To fret o'er that folk-stead. So befell to him timely + Right soon among men that made was it yarely + The most of hall-houses, and Hart its name shap'd he, + Who wielded his word full widely around. + His behest he belied not; it was he dealt the rings, 80 + The wealth at the high-tide. Then up rose the hall-house, + High up and horn-gabled. Hot surges it bided + Of fire-flame the loathly, nor long was it thenceforth + Ere sorely the edge-hate 'twixt Son and Wife's Father + After the slaughter-strife there should awaken. + Then the ghost heavy-strong bore with it hardly + E'en for a while of time, bider in darkness, + That there on each day of days heard he the mirth-tide + Loud in the hall-house. There was the harp's voice, + And clear song of shaper. Said he who could it 90 + To tell the first fashion of men from aforetime; + Quoth how the Almighty One made the Earth's fashion, + The fair field and bright midst the bow of the Waters, + And with victory beglory'd set Sun and Moon, + Bright beams to enlighten the biders on land: + And how he adorned all parts of the earth + With limbs and with leaves; and life withal shaped + For the kindred of each thing that quick on earth wendeth. + So liv'd on all happy the host of the kinsmen + In game and in glee, until one wight began, 100 + A fiend out of hell-pit, the framing of evil, + And Grendel forsooth the grim guest was hight, + The mighty mark-strider, the holder of moorland, + The fen and the fastness. The stead of the fifel + That wight all unhappy a while of time warded, + Sithence that the Shaper him had for-written. + On the kindred of Cain the Lord living ever + Awreaked the murder of the slaying of Abel. + In that feud he rejoic'd not, but afar him He banish'd, + The Maker, from mankind for the crime he had wrought. 110 + But offspring uncouth thence were they awoken + Eotens and elf-wights, and ogres of ocean, + And therewith the Giants, who won war against God + A long while; but He gave them their wages therefor. + + + + + III. HOW GRENDEL FELL UPON HART AND WASTED IT. + + + Now went he a-spying, when come was the night-tide, + The house on high builded, and how there the Ring-Danes + Their beer-drinking over had boune them to bed; + And therein he found them, the atheling fellows, + Asleep after feasting. Then sorrow they knew not + Nor the woe of mankind: but the wight of wealth's waning, 120 + The grim and the greedy, soon yare was he gotten, + All furious and fierce, and he raught up from resting + A thirty of thanes, and thence aback got him + Right fain of his gettings, and homeward to fare, + Fulfilled of slaughter his stead to go look on. + Thereafter at dawning, when day was yet early, + The war-craft of Grendel to men grew unhidden, + And after his meal was the weeping uphoven, + Mickle voice of the morning-tide: there the Prince mighty, + The Atheling exceeding good, unblithe he sat, 130 + Tholing the heavy woe; thane-sorrow dreed he + Since the slot of the loathly wight there they had look'd on, + The ghost all accursed. O'er grisly the strife was, + So loathly and longsome. No longer the frist was + But after the wearing of one night; then fram'd he + Murder-bales more yet, and nowise he mourned + The feud and the crime; over fast therein was he. + Then easy to find was the man who would elsewhere + Seek out for himself a rest was more roomsome, + Beds end-long the bowers, when beacon'd to him was, 140 + And soothly out told by manifest token, + The hate of the hell-thane. He held himself sithence + Further and faster who from the fiend gat him. + In such wise he rul'd it and wrought against right, + But one against all, until idle was standing + The best of hall-houses; and mickle the while was, + Twelve winter-tides' wearing; and trouble he tholed, + That friend of the Scyldings, of woes every one + And wide-spreading sorrows: for sithence it fell + That unto men's children unbidden 'twas known 150 + Full sadly in singing, that Grendel won war + 'Gainst Hrothgar a while of time, hate-envy waging, + And crime-guilts and feud for seasons no few, + And strife without stinting. For the sake of no kindness + Unto any of men of the main-host of Dane-folk + Would he thrust off the life-bale, or by fee-gild allay it, + Nor was there a wise man that needed to ween + The bright boot to have at the hand of the slayer. + The monster the fell one afflicted them sorely, + That death-shadow darksome the doughty and youthful 160 + Enfettered, ensnared; night by night was he faring + The moorlands the misty. But never know men + Of spell-workers of Hell to and fro where they wander. + So crime-guilts a many the foeman of mankind, + The fell alone-farer, fram'd oft and full often, + Cruel hard shames and wrongful, and Hart he abode in, + The treasure-stain'd hall, in the dark of the night-tide; + But never the gift-stool therein might he greet, + The treasure before the Creator he trow'd not. + Mickle wrack was it soothly for the friend of the Scyldings, 170 + Yea heart and mood breaking. Now sat there a many + Of the mighty in rune, and won them the rede + Of what thing for the strong-soul'd were best of all things + Which yet they might frame 'gainst the fear and the horror. + And whiles they behight them at the shrines of the heathen + To worship the idols; and pray'd they in words, + That he, the ghost-slayer, would frame for them helping + 'Gainst the folk-threats and evil So far'd they their wont, + The hope of the heathen; nor hell they remember'd + In mood and in mind. And the Maker they knew not, 180 + The Doomer of deeds: nor of God the Lord wist they, + Nor the Helm of the Heavens knew aught how to hery, + The Wielder of Glory. Woe worth unto that man + Who through hatred the baneful his soul shall shove into + The fire's embrace; nought of fostering weens he, + Nor of changing one whit. But well is he soothly + That after the death-day shall seek to the Lord, + In the breast of the Father all peace ever craving. + + + + + IV. NOW COMES BEOWULF ECGTHEOW'S SON + TO THE LAND OF THE DANES, + AND THE WALL-WARDEN SPEAKETH WITH HIM. + + + So care that was time-long the kinsman of Healfdene + Still seeth'd without ceasing, nor might the wise warrior 190 + Wend otherwhere woe, for o'er strong was the strife + All loathly so longsome late laid on the people, + Need-wrack and grim nithing, of night-bales the greatest. + Now that from his home heard the Hygelac's thane, + Good midst of the Geat-folk; of Grendel's deeds heard he. + But he was of mankind of might and main mightiest + In the day that we tell of, the day of this life, + All noble, strong-waxen. He bade a wave-wearer + Right good to be gear'd him, and quoth he that the war-king + Over the swan-road he would be seeking, 200 + The folk-lord far-famed, since lack of men had he. + Forsooth of that faring the carles wiser-fashion'd + Laid little blame on him, though lief to them was he; + The heart-hardy whetted they, heeded the omen. + There had the good one, e'en he of the Geat-folk, + Champions out-chosen of them that he keenest + Might find for his needs; and he then the fifteenth, + Sought to the sound-wood. A swain thereon show'd him, + A sea-crafty man, all the make of the land-marks. + Wore then a while, on the waves was the floater, 210 + The boat under the berg, and yare then the warriors + Strode up on the stem; the streams were a-winding + The sea 'gainst the sands. Upbore the swains then + Up into the bark's barm the bright-fretted weapons, + The war-array stately; then out the lads shov'd her, + The folk on the welcome way shov'd out the wood-bound. + Then by the wind driven out o'er the wave-holm + Far'd the foamy-neck'd floater most like to a fowl, + Till when was the same tide of the second day's wearing + The wound-about-stemm'd one had waded her way, 220 + So that then they that sail'd her had sight of the land, + Bleak shine of the sea-cliffs, bergs steep up above, + Sea-nesses wide reaching; the sound was won over, + The sea-way was ended: then up ashore swiftly + The band of the Weder-folk up on earth wended; + They bound up the sea-wood, their sarks on them rattled, + Their weed of the battle, and God there they thanked + For that easy the wave-ways were waxen unto them. + But now from the wall saw the Scylding-folks' warder, + E'en he whom the holm-cliffs should ever be holding, 230 + Men bear o'er the gangway the bright shields a-shining, + Folk-host gear all ready. Then mind-longing wore him, + And stirr'd up his mood to wot who were the men-folk. + So shoreward down far'd he his fair steed a-riding, + Hrothgar's Thane, and full strongly then set he a-quaking + The stark wood in his hands, and in council-speech speer'd he: + What men be ye then of them that have war-gear, + With byrnies bewarded, who the keel high up-builded + Over the Lake-street thus have come leading. + Hither o'er holm-ways hieing in ring-stem? 240 + End-sitter was I, a-holding the sea-ward, + That the land of the Dane-folk none of the loathly + Faring with ship-horde ever might scathe it. + None yet have been seeking more openly hither + Of shield-havers than ye, and ye of the leave-word + Of the framers of war naught at all wotting, + Or the manners of kinsmen. But no man of earls greater + Saw I ever on earth than one of you yonder, + The warrior in war-gear: no hall-man, so ween I, + Is that weapon-beworthy'd, but his visage belie him, 250 + The sight seen once only. Now I must be wotting + The spring of your kindred ere further ye cast ye, + And let loose your false spies in the Dane-land a-faring + Yet further afield. So now, ye far-dwellers, + Ye wenders o'er sea-flood, this word do ye hearken + Of my one-folded thought: and haste is the handiest + To do me to wit of whence is your coming. + + + + + V. HERE BEOWULF MAKES ANSWER TO THE LAND-WARDEN, + WHO SHOWETH HIM THE WAY TO THE KING'S ABODE. + + + He then that was chiefest in thus wise he answer'd, + The war-fellows' leader unlock'd he the word-hoard: + We be a people of the Weder-Geats' man-kin 260 + And of Hygelac be we the hearth-fellows soothly. + My father before me of folks was well-famed + Van-leader and atheling, Ecgtheow he hight. + Many winters abode he, and on the way wended + An old man from the garths, and him well remembers + Every wise man well nigh wide yond o'er the earth. + Through our lief mood and friendly the lord that is thine, + Even Healfdene's son, are we now come a-seeking, + Thy warder of folk. Learn us well with thy leading, + For we have to the mighty an errand full mickle, 270 + To the lord of the Dane-folk: naught dark shall it be, + That ween I full surely. If it be so thou wottest, + As soothly for our parts we now have heard say, + That one midst of the Scyldings, who of scathers I wot not, + A deed-hater secret, in the dark of the night-tide + Setteth forth through the terror the malice untold of, + The shame-wrong and slaughter. I therefore to Hrothgar + Through my mind fashion'd roomsome the rede may now learn him, + How he, old-wise and good, may get the fiend under, + If once more from him awayward may turn 280 + The business of bales, and the boot come again, + And the weltering of care wax cooler once more; + Or for ever sithence time of stress he shall thole, + The need and the wronging, the while yet there abideth + On the high stead aloft the best of all houses. + Then spake out the warden on steed there a-sitting, + The servant all un-fear'd: It shall be of either + That the shield-warrior sharp the sundering wotteth, + Of words and of works, if he think thereof well. + I hear it thus said that this host here is friendly 290 + To the lord of the Scyldings; forth fare ye then, bearing + Your weed and your weapons, of the way will I wise you; + Likewise mine own kinsmen I will now be bidding + Against every foeman your floater before us, + Your craft but new-tarred, the keel on the sand, + With honour to hold, until back shall be bearing + Over the lake-streams this one, the lief man, + The wood of the wounden-neck back unto Wedermark. + Unto such shall be granted amongst the good-doers + To win the way out all whole from the war-race. 300 + Then boun they to faring, the bark biding quiet; + Hung upon hawser the wide-fathom'd ship + Fast at her anchor. Forth shone the boar-shapes + Over the check-guards golden adorned, + Fair-shifting, fire-hard; ward held the farrow. + Snorted the war-moody, hasten'd the warriors + And trod down together until the hall timbered, + Stately and gold-bestain'd, gat they to look on, + That was the all-mightiest unto earth's dwellers + Of halls 'neath the heavens, wherein bode the mighty; 310 + Glisten'd the gleam thereof o'er lands a many. + Unto them then the war-deer the court of the proud one + Full clearly betaught it, that they therewithal + Might wend their ways thither. Then he of the warriors + Round wended his steed, and spake a word backward: + Time now for my faring; but the Father All-wielder + May He with all helping henceforward so hold you + All whole in your wayfaring. Will I to sea-side + Against the wroth folk to hold warding ever. + + + + + VI. BEOWULF AND THE GEATS COME INTO HART. + + + Stone-diverse the street was, straight uplong the path led 320 + The warriors together. There shone the war-byrny + The hard and the hand-lock'd; the ring-iron sheer + Sang over their war-gear, when they to the hall first + In their gear the all-fearful had gat them to ganging. + So then the sea-weary their wide shields set down, + Their war-rounds the mighty, against the hall's wall. + Then bow'd they to bench, and rang there the byrnies, + The war-weed of warriors, and up-stood the spears, + The war-gear of the sea-folk all gather'd together. + The ash-holt grey-headed; that host of the iron 330 + With weapons was worshipful. There then a proud chief + Of those lads of the battle speer'd after their line: + Whence ferry ye then the shields golden-faced, + The grey sarks therewith, and the helms all bevisor'd, + And a heap of the war-shafts? Now am I of Hrothgar + The man and the messenger: ne'er saw I of aliens + So many of men more might-like of mood. + I ween that for pride-sake, no wise for wrack-wending + But for high might of mind, ye to Hrothgar have sought. + Unto him then the heart-hardy answer'd and spake, 340 + The proud earl of the Weders the word gave aback, + The hardy neath helm: Now of Hygelac are we + The board-fellows; Beowulf e'en is my name, + And word will I say unto Healfdene's son, + To the mighty, the folk-lord, what errand is mine, + Yea unto thy lord, if to us he will grant it + That him, who so good is, anon we may greet. + Spake Wulfgar the word, a lord of the Wendels, + And the mood of his heart of a many was kenned, + His war and his wisdom: I therefore the Danes' friend 350 + Will lightly be asking, of the lord of the Scyldings, + The dealer of rings, since the boon thou art bidding, + The mighty folk-lord, concerning thine errand, + And swiftly the answer shall do thee to wit + Which the good one to give thee aback may deem meetest. + Then turn'd he in haste to where Hrothgar was sitting + Right old and all hoary mid the host of his earl-folk: + Went the valour-stark; stood he the shoulders before + Of the Dane-lord: well could he the doughty ones' custom. + So Wulfgar spake forth to his lord the well-friendly: 360 + Hither are ferry'd now, come from afar off + O'er the field of the ocean, a folk of the Geats; + These men of the battle e'en Beowulf name they + Their elder and chiefest, and to thee are they bidding + That they, O dear lord, with thee may be dealing + In word against word. Now win them no naysay + Of thy speech again-given, O Hrothgar the glad-man: + For they in their war-gear, methinketh, be worthy + Of good deeming of earls; and forsooth naught but doughty + Is he who hath led o'er the warriors hither. 370 + + + + + VII. BEOWULF SPEAKETH WITH HROTHGAR, + AND TELLETH HOW HE WILL MEET GRENDEL. + + + Word then gave out Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings: + I knew him in sooth when he was but a youngling, + And his father, the old man, was Ecgtheow hight; + Unto whom at his home gave Hrethel the Geat-lord + His one only daughter; and now hath his offspring + All hardy come hither a lief lord to seek him. + For that word they spake then, the sea-faring men, + E'en they who the gift-seat for the Geat-folk had ferry'd, + Brought thither for thanks, that of thirty of menfolk + The craft of might hath he within his own handgrip, 380 + That war-strong of men. Now him holy God + For kind help hath sent off here even to us, + We men of the West Danes, as now I have weening, + 'Gainst the terror of Grendel. So I to that good one + For his mighty mood-daring shall the dear treasure bid. + Haste now and be speedy, and bid them in straightway, + The kindred-band gather'd together, to see us, + And in words say thou eke that they be well comen + To the folk of the Danes. To the door of the hall then + Went Wulfgar, and words withinward he flitted: 390 + He bade me to say you, my lord of fair battle, + The elder of East-Danes, that he your blood knoweth, + And that unto him are ye the sea-surges over, + Ye lads hardy-hearted, well come to land hither; + And now may ye wend you all in war-raiment + Under the battle-mask Hrothgar to see. + But here let your battle-boards yet be abiding, + With your war-weed and slaughter-shafts, issue of words. + Then rose up the rich one, much warriors around him, + Chosen heap of the thanes, but there some abided 400 + The war-gear to hold, as the wight one was bidding. + Swift went they together, as the warrior there led them, + Under Hart's roof: went the stout-hearted, + The hardy neath helm, till he stood by the high-seat. + Then Beowulf spake out, on him shone the byrny, + His war-net besown by the wiles of the smith: + Hail to thee, Hrothgar! I am of Hygelac + Kinsman and folk-thane; fair deeds have I many + Begun in my youth-tide, and this matter of Grendel + On the turf of mine own land undarkly I knew. 410 + 'Tis the seafarers' say that standeth this hall, + The best house forsooth, for each one of warriors + All idle and useless, after the even-light + Under the heaven-loft hidden becometh. + Then lightly they learn'd me, my people, this lore, + E'en the best that there be of the wise of the churls, + O Hrothgar the kingly, that thee should I seek to, + Whereas of the might of my craft were they cunning; + For they saw me when came I from out of my wargear, + Blood-stain'd from the foe whenas five had I bounden, 420 + Quell'd the kin of the eotens, and in the wave slain + The nicors by night-tide: strait need then I bore, + Wreak'd the grief of the Weders, the woe they had gotten; + I ground down the wrathful; and now against Grendel + I here with the dread one alone shall be dooming, + In Thing with the giant. I now then with thee, + O lord of the bright Danes, will fall to my bidding, + O berg of Scyldings, and bid thee one boon, + Which, O refuge of warriors, gainsay me not now, + Since, O free friend of folks, from afar have I come, 430 + That I alone, I and my band of the earls, + This hard heap of men, may cleanse Hart of ill. + This eke have I heard say, that he, the fell monster, + In his wan-heed recks nothing of weapons of war; + Forgo I this therefore (if so be that Hygelac + Will still be my man-lord, and he blithe of mood) + To bear the sword with me, or bear the broad shield, + Yellow-round to the battle; but with naught save the hand-grip + With the foe shall I grapple, and grope for the life + The loathly with loathly. There he shall believe 440 + In the doom of the Lord whom death then shall take. + Now ween I that he, if he may wield matters, + E'en there in the war-hall the folk of the Geats + Shall eat up unafear'd, as oft he hath done it + With the might of the Hrethmen: no need for thee therefore + My head to be hiding; for me will he have + With gore all bestain'd, if the death of men get me; + He will bear off my bloody corpse minded to taste it; + Unmournfully then will the Lone-goer eat it, + Will blood-mark the moor-ways; for the meat of my body 450 + Naught needest thou henceforth in any wise grieve thee. + But send thou to Hygelac, if the war have me, + The best of all war-shrouds that now my breast wardeth, + The goodliest of railings, the good gift of Hrethel, + The hand-work of Weland. Weird wends as she willeth. + + + + + VIII. HROTHGAR ANSWERETH BEOWULF + AND BIDDETH HIM SIT TO THE FEAST. + + + Spake out then Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings: + Thou Beowulf, friend mine, for battle that wardeth + And for help that is kindly hast sought to us hither. + Fought down thy father the most of all feuds; + To Heatholaf was he forsooth for a hand-bane 460 + Amidst of the Wylfings. The folk of the Weders + Him for the war-dread that while might not hold. + So thence did he seek to the folk of the South-Danes + O'er the waves' wallow, to the Scyldings be-worshipped. + Then first was I wielding the weal of the Dane-folk, + That time was I holding in youth-tide the gem-rich + Hoard-burg of the heroes. Dead then was Heorogar, + Mine elder of brethren; unliving was he, + The Healfdene's bairn that was better than I. + That feud then thereafter with fee did I settle; 470 + I sent to the Wylfing folk over the waters' back + Treasures of old time; he swore the oaths to me. + Sorrow is in my mind that needs must I say it + To any of grooms, of Grendel what hath he + Of shaming in Hart, and he with his hate-wiles + Of sudden harms framed; the host of my hall-floor, + The war-heap, is waned; Weird swept them away + Into horror of Grendel. It is God now that may lightly + The scather the doltish from deeds thrust aside. + Full oft have they boasted with beer well bedrunken, 480 + My men of the battle all over the ale-stoup, + That they in the beer-hall would yet be abiding + The onset of Grendel with the terror of edges. + But then was this mead-hall in the tide of the morning, + This warrior-hall, gore-stain'd when day at last gleamed, + All the boards of the benches with blood besteam'd over, + The hall laid with sword-gore: of lieges less had I + Of dear and of doughty, for them death had gotten. + Now sit thou to feast and unbind thy mood freely, + Thy war-fame unto men as the mind of thee whetteth. 490 + Then was for the Geat-folk and them all together + There in the beer-hall a bench bedight roomsome, + There the stout-hearted hied them to sitting + Proud in their might: a thane minded the service, + Who in hand upbare an ale-stoup adorned, + Skinked the sheer mead; whiles sang the shaper + Clear out in Hart-hall; joy was of warriors, + Men doughty no little of Danes and of Weders. + + + + + IX. UNFERTH CONTENDETH IN WORDS WITH BEOWULF. + + + Spake out then Unferth that bairn was of Ecglaf, + And he sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings, 500 + He unbound the battle-rune; was Beowulf's faring, + Of him the proud mere-farer, mickle unliking, + Whereas he begrudg'd it of any man other + That he glories more mighty the middle-garth over + Should hold under heaven than he himself held: + Art thou that Beowulf who won strife with Breca + On the wide sea contending in swimming, + When ye two for pride's sake search'd out the floods + And for a dolt's cry into deep water + Thrust both your life-days? No man the twain of you, 510 + Lief or loth were he, might lay wyte to stay you + Your sorrowful journey, when on the sea row'd ye; + Then when the ocean-stream ye with your arms deck'd, + Meted the mere-streets, there your hands brandish'd! + O'er the Spearman ye glided; the sea with waves welter'd, + The surge of the winter. Ye twain in the waves' might + For a seven nights swink'd. He outdid thee in swimming, + And the more was his might; but him in the morn-tide + To the Heatho-Remes' land the holm bore ashore. + And thence away sought he to his dear land and lovely, 520 + The lief to his people sought the land of the Brondings, + The fair burg peace-warding, where he the folk owned, + The burg and the gold rings. What to theeward he boasted, + Beanstan's son, for thee soothly he brought it about. + Now ween I for thee things worser than erewhile, + Though thou in the war-race wert everywhere doughty, + In the grim war, if thou herein Grendel darest + Night-long for a while of time nigh to abide. + Then Beowulf spake out, the Ecgtheow's bairn: + What! thou no few of things, O Unferth my friend, 530 + And thou drunken with beer, about Breca hast spoken, + Saidest out of his journey; so the sooth now I tell: + To wit, that the more might ever I owned, + Hard wearing on wave more than any man else. + We twain then, we quoth it, while yet we were younglings, + And we boasted between us, the twain of us being yet + In our youth-days, that we out onto the Spearman + Our lives would adventure; and e'en so we wrought It. + We had a sword naked, when on the sound row'd we, + Hard in hand, as we twain against the whale-fishes 540 + Had mind to be warding us. No whit from me + In the waves of the sea-flood afar might he float + The hastier in holm, nor would I from him hie me. + Then we two together, we were in the sea + For a five nights, till us twain the flood drave asunder, + The weltering of waves. Then the coldest of weathers + In the dusking of night and the wind from the northward + Battle-grim turn'd against us, rough grown were the billows. + Of the mere-fishes then was the mood all up-stirred; + There me 'gainst the loathly the body-sark mine, 550 + The hard and the hand-lock'd, was framing me help, + My battle-rail braided, it lay on my breast + Gear'd graithly with gold. But me to the ground tugg'd + A foe and fiend-scather; fast he had me In hold + That grim one in grip: yet to me was it given. + That the wretch there, the monster, with point might I reach, + With my bill of the battle, and the war-race off bore + The mighty mere-beast through the hand that was mine. + + + + + X. BEOWULF MAKES AN END OF HIS TALE OF THE SWIMMING. + WEALHTHEOW, HROTHGAR'S QUEEN, GREETS HIM; + AND HROTHGAR DELIVERS TO HIM THE WARDING OF THE HALL. + + + Thus oft and oft over the doers of evil + They threatened me hard; thane-service I did them 560 + With the dear sword of mine, as forsooth it was meet, + That nowise of their fill did they win them the joy + The evil fordoers in swallowing me down, + Sitting round at the feast nigh the ground of the sea. + Yea rather, a morning-tide, mangled by sword-edge + Along the waves' leaving up there did they lie + Lull'd asleep with the sword, so that never sithence + About the deep floods for the farers o'er ocean + The way have they letted. Came the light from the eastward, + The bright beacon of God, and grew the seas calm, 570 + So that the sea-nesses now might I look on, + The windy walls. Thuswise Weird oft will be saving + The earl that is unfey, when his valour availeth. + Whatever, it happ'd me that I with the sword slew + Nicors nine. Never heard I of fighting a night-tide + 'Neath the vault of the heavens was harder than that, + Nor yet on the sea-streams of woefuller wight. + Whatever, forth won I with life from the foes' clutch + All of wayfaring weary. But me the sea upbore, + The flood downlong the tide with the weltering of waters, 580 + All onto the Finnland. No whit of thee ever + Mid such strife of the battle-gear have I heard say, + Such terrors of bills. Nor never yet Breca + In the play of the battle, nor both you, nor either, + So dearly the deeds have framed forsooth + With the bright flashing swords; though of this naught I boast me. + But thou of thy brethren the banesman becamest, + Yea thine head-kin forsooth, for which in hell shalt thou + Dree weird of damnation, though doughty thy wit be; + For unto thee say I forsooth, son of Ecglaf, 590 + That so many deeds never Grendel had done, + That monster the loathly, against thine own lord, + The shaming in Hart-hall, if suchwise thy mind were, + And thy soul e'en as battle-fierce, such as thou sayest. + But he, he hath fram'd it that the feud he may heed not, + The fearful edge-onset that is of thy folk, + Nor sore need be fearful of the Victory-Scyldings. + The need-pledges taketh he, no man he spareth + Of the folk of the Danes, driveth war as he lusteth, + Slayeth and feasteth unweening of strife 600 + With them of the Spear-Danes. But I, I shall show it, + The Geats' wightness and might ere the time weareth old, + Shall bide him in war-tide. Then let him go who may go + High-hearted to mead, sithence when the morn-light + O'er the children of men of the second day hence, + The sun clad in heaven's air, shines from the southward. + Then merry of heart was the meter of treasures, + The hoary-man'd war-renown'd, help now he trow'd in; + The lord of the Bright-Danes on Beowulf hearken'd, + The folk-shepherd knew him, his fast-ready mind. 610 + There was laughter of heroes, and high the din rang + And winsome the words were. Went Wealhtheow forth, + The Queen she of Hrothgar, of courtesies mindful, + The gold-array'd greeted the grooms in the hall, + The free and frank woman the beaker there wended, + And first to the East-Dane-folk's fatherland's warder, + And bade him be blithe at the drinking of beer, + To his people beloved, and lustily took he + The feast and the hall-cup, that victory-fam'd King. + Then round about went she, the Dame of the Helmings, 620 + And to doughty and youngsome, each deal of the folk there, + Gave cups of the treasure, till now it betid + That to Beowulf duly the Queen the ring-dighted, + Of mind high uplifted, the mead-beaker bare. + Then she greeted the Geat-lord, and gave God the thank, + She, the wisefast In words, that the will had wax'd in her + In one man of the earls to have trusting and troth + For comfort from crimes. But the cup then he took, + The slaughter-fierce warrior, from Wealhtheow the Queen. + And then rim'd he the word, making ready for war, 630 + And Beowulf spake forth, the Ecgtheow's bairn: + E'en that in mind had I when up on holm strode I, + And in sea-boat sat down with a band of my men, + That for once and for all the will of your people + Would I set me to work, or on slaughter-field cringe + Fast in grip of the fiend; yea and now shall I frame + The valour of earl-folk, or else be abiding + The day of mine end, here down in the mead-hall. + To the wife those his words well liking they were, + The big word of the Geat; and the gold-adorn'd wended, 640 + The frank and free Queen to sit by her lord. + And thereafter within the high hall was as erst + The proud word outspoken and bliss on the people, + Was the sound of the victory-folk, till on a sudden + The Healfdene's son would now be a-seeking + His rest of the even: wotted he for the Evil + Within the high hall was the Hild-play bedight, + Sithence that the sun-light no more should they see, + When night should be darkening, and down over all + The shapes of the shadow-helms should be a-striding 650 + Wan under the welkin. Uprose then all war-folk; + Then greeted the glad-minded one man the other, + Hrothgar to Beowulf, bidding him hail, + And the wine-hall to wield, and withal quoth the word: + Never to any man erst have I given, + Since the hand and the shield's round aloft might I heave, + This high hall of the Dane-folk, save now unto thee. + Have now and hold the best of all houses, + Mind thee of fame, show the might of thy valour! + Wake the wroth one: no lack shall there be to thy willing 660 + If that wight work thou win and life therewithal. + + + + + XI. NOW IS BEOWULF LEFT IN THE HALL ALONE WITH HIS MEN. + + + Then wended him Hrothgar with the band of his warriors, + The high-ward of the Scyldings from out of the hall, + For then would the war-lord go seek unto Wealhtheow + The Queen for a bed-mate. The glory of king-folk + Against Grendel had set, as men have heard say, + A hall-ward who held him a service apart + In the house of the Dane-lord, for eoten-ward held he. + Forsooth he, the Geat-lord, full gladly he trowed + In the might of his mood and the grace of the Maker. 670 + Therewith he did off him his byrny of iron + And the helm from his head, and his dighted sword gave, + The best of all irons, to the thane that abode him, + And bade him to hold that harness of battle. + Bespake then the good one, a big word he gave out, + Beowulf the Geat, ere on the bed strode he: + Nowise in war I deem me more lowly + In the works of the battle than Grendel, I ween; + So not with the sword shall I lull him to slumber, + Or take his life thuswise, though to me were it easy; 680 + Of that good wise he wots not, to get the stroke on me, + To hew on my shield, for as stark as he shall be + In the works of the foeman. So we twain a night-tide + Shall forgo the sword, if he dare yet to seek + The war without weapons. Sithence the wise God, + The Lord that is holy, on which hand soever + The glory may doom as due to him seemeth. + Bowed down then the war-deer, the cheek-bolster took + The face of the earl; and about him a many + Of sea-warriors bold to their hall-slumber bow'd them; 690 + No one of them thought that thence away should he + Seek ever again to his home the beloved, + His folk or his free burg, where erst he was fed; + For of men had they learn'd that o'er mickle a many + In that wine-hall aforetime the fell death had gotten + Of the folk of the Danes; but the Lord to them gave it, + To the folk of the Weders, the web of war-speeding, + Help fair and good comfort, e'en so that their foeman + Through the craft of one man all they overcame, + By the self-might of one. So is manifest truth 700 + That God the Almighty the kindred of men + Hath wielded wide ever. Now by wan night there came, + There strode in the shade-goer; slept there the shooters, + They who that horn-house should be a-holding, + All men but one man: to men was that known, + That them indeed might not, since will'd not the Maker, + The scather unceasing drag off 'neath the shadow; + But he ever watching in wrath 'gainst the wroth one + Mood-swollen abided the battle-mote ever. + + + + + XII. GRENDEL COMETH INTO HART: + OF THE STRIFE BETWIXT HIM AND BEOWULF. + + + Came then from the moor-land, all under the mist-bents, 710 + Grendel a-going there, bearing God's anger. + The scather the ill one was minded of mankind + To have one in his toils from the high hall aloft. + 'Neath the welkin he waded, to the place whence the wine-house, + The gold-hall of men, most yarely he wist + With gold-plates fair coloured; nor was it the first time + That he unto Hrothgar's high home had betook him. + Never he in his life-days, either erst or thereafter, + Of warriors more hardy or hall-thanes had found. + Came then to the house the wight on his ways, 720 + Of all joys bereft; and soon sprang the door open, + With fire-bands made fast, when with hand he had touch'd it; + Brake the bale-heedy, he with wrath bollen, + The mouth of the house there, and early thereafter + On the shiny-fleck'd floor thereof trod forth the fiend; + On went he then mood-wroth, and out from his eyes stood + Likest to fire-flame light full unfair. + In the high house beheld he a many of warriors, + A host of men sib all sleeping together, + Of man-warriors a heap; then laugh'd out his mood; 730 + In mind deem'd he to sunder, or ever came day, + The monster, the fell one, from each of the men there + The life from the body; for befell him a boding + Of fulfilment of feeding: but weird now it was not + That he any more of mankind thenceforward + Should eat, that night over. Huge evil beheld then + The Hygelac's kinsman, and how the foul scather + All with his fear-grips would fare there before him; + How never the monster was minded to tarry, + For speedily gat he, and at the first stour, 740 + A warrior a-sleeping, and unaware slit him, + Bit his bone-coffer, drank blood a-streaming, + Great gobbets swallow'd in; thenceforth soon had he + Of the unliving one every whit eaten + To hands and feet even: then forth strode he nigher, + And took hold with his hand upon him the highhearted. + The warrior a-resting; reach'd out to himwards + The fiend with his hand, gat fast on him rathely + With thought of all evil, and besat him his arm. + Then swiftly was finding the herdsman of fouldeeds 750 + That forsooth he had met not in Middle-garth ever, + In the parts of the earth, in any man else + A hand-grip more mighty; then wax'd he of mood + Heart-fearful, but none the more outward might he; + Hence-eager his heart was to the darkness to hie him, + And the devil-dray seek: not there was his service + E'en such as he found in his life-days before. + Then to heart laid the good one, the Hygelac's kinsman, + His speech of the even-tide; uplong he stood + And fast with him grappled, till bursted his fingers. 760 + The eoten was out-fain, but on strode the earl. + The mighty fiend minded was, whereso he might, + To wind him about more widely away thence, + And flee fenwards; he found then the might of his fingers + In the grip of the fierce one; sorry faring was that + Which he, the harm-scather, had taken to Hart. + The warrior-hall dinn'd now; unto all Danes there waxed, + To the castle-abiders, to each of the keen ones, + To all earls, as an ale-dearth. Now angry were both + Of the fierce mighty warriors, far rang out the hall-house; 770 + Then mickle the wonder it was that the wine-hall + Withstood the two war-deer, nor welter'd to earth + The fair earthly dwelling; but all fast was it builded + Within and without with the banding of iron + By crafty thought smithy'd. But there from the sill bow'd + Fell many a mead-bench, by hearsay of mine, + With gold well adorned, where strove they the wrothful. + Hereof never ween'd they, the wise of the Scyldings, + That ever with might should any of men + The excellent, bone-dight, break into pieces, 780 + Or unlock with cunning, save the light fire's embracing + In smoke should it swallow. So uprose the roar + New and enough; now fell on the North-Danes + Ill fear and the terror, on each and on all men, + Of them who from wall-top hearken'd the weeping, + Even God's foeman singing the fear-lay, + The triumphless song, and the wound-bewailing + Of the thrall of the Hell; for there now fast held him + He who of men of main was the mightiest + In that day which is told of, the day of this life. 790 + + + + + XIII. BEOWULF HATH THE VICTORY: + GRENDEL IS HURT DEADLY + AND LEAVETH HAND AND ARM IN THE HALL. + + + Naught would the earls' help for anything thenceforth + That murder-comer yet quick let loose of, + Nor his life-days forsooth to any of folk + Told he for useful. Out then drew full many + Of Beowult's earls the heir-loom of old days, + For their lord and their master's fair life would hey ward, + That mighty of princes, if so might they do it. + For this did they know not when they the strife dreed, + Those hardy-minded men of the battle, + And on every half there thought to be hewing, 800 + And search out his soul, that the ceaseless scather + Not any on earth of the choice of all irons, + Not one of the war-bills, would greet home for ever. + For he had forsworn him from victory-weapons, + And each one of edges. But his sundering of soul + In the days that we tell of, the day of this life, + Should be weary and woeful, the ghost wending elsewhere + To the wielding of fiends to wend him afar. + Then found he out this, he who mickle erst made + Out of mirth of his mood unto children of men 810 + And had fram'd many crimes, he the foeman of God, + That the body of him would not bide to avail him, + But the hardy of mood, even Hygelac's kinsman, + Had him fast by the hand: now was each to the other + All loathly while living: his body-sore bided + The monster: was manifest now on his shoulder + The unceasing wound, sprang the sinews asunder, + The bone-lockers bursted. To Beowulf now + Was the battle-fame given; should Grendel thenceforth + Flee life-sick awayward and under the fen-bents 820 + Seek his unmerry stead: now wist he more surely + That ended his life was, and gone over for ever, + His day-tale told out. But was for all Dane-folk + After that slaughter-race all their will done. + Then had he cleans'd for them, he the far-comer, + Wise and stout-hearted, the high hall of Hrothgar, + And say'd it from war. So the night-work he joy'd in + And his doughty deed done. Yea, but he for the East-Danes + That lord of the Geat-folk his boast's end had gotten, + Withal their woes bygone all had he booted, 830 + And the sorrow hate-fashion'd that afore they had dreed, + And the hard need and bitter that erst they must bear, + The sorrow unlittle. Sithence was clear token + When the deer of the battle laid down there the hand + The arm and the shoulder, and all there together + Of the grip of that Grendel 'neath the great roof upbuilded. + + + + + XIV. THE DANES REJOICE; + THEY GO TO LOOK ON THE SLOT OF GRENDEL, + AND COME BACK TO HART, AND ON THE WAY MAKE MERRY + WITH RACING AND THE TELLING OF TALES. + + + There was then on the morning, as I have heard tell it, + Round the gift-hall a many of men of the warriors: + Were faring folk-leaders from far and from near + O'er the wide-away roads the wonder to look on, 840 + The track of the loathly: his life-sundering nowise + Was deem'd for a sorrow to any of men there + Who gaz'd on the track of the gloryless wight; + How he all a-weary of mood thence awayward, + Brought to naught in the battle, to the mere of the nicors, + Now fey and forth-fleeing, his life-steps had flitted. + There all in the blood was the sea-brim a-welling, + The dread swing of the waves was washing all mingled + With hot blood; with the gore of the sword was it welling; + The death-doom'd had dyed it, sithence he unmerry 850 + In his fen-hold had laid down the last of his life, + His soul of the heathen, and hell gat hold on him. + Thence back again far'd they those fellows of old, + With many a young one, from their wayfaring merry, + Full proud from the mere-side on mares there a-riding + The warriors on white steeds. There then was of Beowulf + Set forth the might mighty; oft quoth it a many + That nor northward nor southward beside the twin sea-floods, + Over all the huge earth's face now never another, + Never under the heaven's breadth, was there a better, 860 + Nor of wielders of war-shields a worthier of kingship; + But neither their friendly lord blam'd they one whit, + Hrothgar the glad, for good of kings was he. + There whiles the warriors far-famed let leap + Their fair fallow horses and fare into flyting + Where unto them the earth-ways for fair-fashion'd seemed, + Through their choiceness well kenned; and whiles a king's thane, + A warrior vaunt-laden, of lays grown bemindful, + E'en he who all many of tales of the old days + A multitude minded, found other words also 870 + Sooth-bounden, and boldly the man thus began + E'en Beowulf's wayfare well wisely to stir, + With good speed to set forth the spells well areded + And to shift about words. And well of all told he + That he of Sigemund erst had heard say, + Of the deeds of his might; and many things uncouth: + Of the strife of the Węlsing and his wide wayfarings, + Of those that men's children not well yet they wist, + The feud and the crimes, save Fitela with him; + Somewhat of such things yet would he say, 880 + The eme to the nephew; e'en as they aye were + In all strife soever fellows full needful; + And full many had they of the kin of the eotens + Laid low with the sword. And to Sigemund upsprang + After his death-day fair doom unlittle + Sithence that the war-hard the Worm there had quelled, + The herd of the hoard; he under the hoar stone, + The bairn of the Atheling, all alone dar'd it, + That wight deed of deeds; with him Fitela was not. + But howe'er, his hap was that the sword so through-waded 890 + The Worm the all-wondrous, that in the wall stood + The iron dear-wrought: and the drake died the murder. + There had the warrior so won by wightness, + That he of the ring-hoard the use might be having + All at his own will. The sea-boat he loaded, + And into the ship's barm bore the bright fretwork + Węls' son. In the hotness the Worm was to-molten. + Now he of all wanderers was widely the greatest + Through the peoples of man-kind, the warder of warriors, + By mighty deeds; erst then and early he throve. 900 + Now sithence the warfare of Heremod waned, + His might and his valour, amidst of the eotens + To the wielding of foemen straight was he betrayed, + And speedily sent forth: by the surges of sorrow + O'er-long was he lam'd, became he to his lieges, + To all of the athelings, a life-care thenceforward. + Withal oft bemoaned in times that were older + The ways of that stout heart many a carle of the wisest. + Who trow'd in him boldly for booting of bales, + And had look'd that the king's bairn should ever be thriving, 910 + His father's own lordship should take, hold the folk, + The hoard and the ward-burg, and realm of the heroes, + The own land of the Scyldings. To all men was Beowulf, + The Hygelac's kinsman to the kindred of menfolk, + More fair unto friends; but on Heremod crime fell. + So whiles the men flyting the fallow street there + With their mares were they meting. There then was the morn-light + Thrust forth and hasten'd; went many a warrior + All hardy of heart to the high hall aloft + The rare wonder to see; and the King's self withal 920 + From the bride-bower wended, the warder of ring-hoards, + All glorious he trod and a mickle troop had he, + He for choice ways beknown; and his Queen therewithal + Meted the mead-path with a meyny of maidens. + + + + + XV. KING HROTHGAR AND HIS THANES + LOOK ON THE ARM OF GRENDEL. + CONVERSE BETWIXT HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF + CONCERNING THE BATTLE. + + + Out then spake Hrothgar; for he to the hall went, + By the staple a-standing the steep roof he saw + Shining fair with the gold, and the hand there of Grendel: + For this sight that I see to the All-wielder thanks + Befall now forthwith, for foul evil I bided, + All griefs from this Grendel; but God, glory's Herder, 930 + Wonder on wonder ever can work. + Unyore was it then when I for myself + Might ween never more, wide all through my life-days, + Of the booting of woes; when all blood-besprinkled + The best of all houses stood sword-gory here; + Wide then had the woe thrust off each of the wise + Of them that were looking that never life-long + That land-work of the folk they might ward from the loathly, + From ill wights and devils. But now hath a warrior + Through the might of the Lord a deed made thereunto 940 + Which we, and all we together, in nowise + By wisdom might work. What! well might be saying + That maid whosoever this son brought to birth + According to man's kind, if yet she be living, + That the Maker of old time to her was all-gracious + In the bearing of bairns. O Beowulf, I now + Thee best of all men as a son unto me + Will love in my heart, and hold thou henceforward + Our kinship new-made now; nor to thee shall be lacking + As to longings of world-goods whereof I have wielding; 950 + Full oft I for lesser things guerdon have given, + The worship of hoards, to a warrior was weaker, + A worser in strife. Now thyself for thyself + By deeds hast thou fram'd it that liveth thy fair fame + For ever and ever. So may the All-wielder + With good pay thee ever, as erst he hath done it. + Then Beowulf spake out, the Ecgtheow's bairn: + That work of much might with mickle of love + We framed with fighting, and frowardly ventur'd + The might of the uncouth; now I would that rather 960 + Thou mightest have look'd on the very man there, + The foe in his fret-gear all worn unto falling. + There him in all haste with hard griping did I + On the slaughter-bed deem it to bind him indeed, + That he for my hand-grip should have to be lying + All busy for life: but his body fled off. + Him then, I might not (since would not the Maker) + From his wayfaring sunder, nor naught so well sought I + The life-foe; o'er-mickle of might was he yet, + The foeman afoot: but his hand has he left us, 970 + A life-ward, a-warding the ways of his wending, + His arm and his shoulder therewith. Yet in nowise + That wretch of the grooms any solace hath got him, + Nor longer will live the loathly deed-doer, + Beswinked with sins; for the sore hath him now + In the grip of need grievous, in strait hold togather'd + With bonds that be baleful: there shall he abide, + That wight dyed with all evil-deeds, the doom mickle, + For what wise to him the bright Maker will write it. + Then a silenter man was the son there of Ecglaf 980 + In the speech of the boasting of works of the battle, + After when every atheling by craft of the earl + Over the high roof had look'd on the hand there, + Yea, the fiend's fingers before his own eyen, + Each one of the nail-steads most like unto steel, + Hand-spur of the heathen one; yea, the own claw + Uncouth of the war-wight. But each one there quoth it, + That no iron of the best, of the hardy of folk, + Would touch him at all, which e'er of the monster + The battle-hand bloody might bear away thence. 990 + + + + + XVI. HROTHGAR GIVETH GIFTS TO BEOWULF. + + + Then was speedily bidden that Hart be withinward + By hand of man well adorn'd; was there a many + Of warriors and wives, who straightway that wine-house + The guest-house, bedight them: there gold-shotten shone + The webs over the walls, many wonders to look on + For men every one who on such things will stare. + Was that building the bright all broken about + All withinward, though fast in the bands of the iron; + Asunder the hinges rent, only the roof there + Was saved all sound, when the monster of evil 1000 + The guilty of crime-deeds had gat him to flight + Never hoping for life. Nay, lightly now may not + That matter be fled from, frame it whoso may frame it. + But by strife man shall win of the bearers of souls, + Of the children of men, compelled by need, + The abiders on earth, the place made all ready, + The stead where his body laid fast on his death-bed + Shall sleep after feast. Now time and place was it + When unto the hall went that Healfdene's son, + And the King himself therein the feast should be sharing; 1010 + Never heard I of men-folk in fellowship more + About their wealth-giver so well themselves bearing. + Then bow'd unto bench there the abounders in riches + And were fain of their fill. Full fairly there took + A many of mead-cups the kin of those men, + The sturdy of heart in the hall high aloft, + Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Hart there withinward + Of friends was fulfilled; naught there that was guilesome + The folk of the Scyldings for yet awhile framed. + Gave then to Beowulf Healfdene's bairn 1020 + A golden war-ensign, the victory's guerdon, + A staff-banner fair-dight, a helm and a byrny: + The great jewel-sword a many men saw them + Bear forth to the hero. Then Beowulf took + The cup on the floor, and nowise of that fee-gift + Before the shaft-shooters the shame need he have. + Never heard I how friendlier four of the treasures, + All gear'd with the gold about, many men erewhile + On the ale-bench have given to others of men. + Round the roof of the helm, the burg of the head, 1030 + A wale wound with wires held ward from without-ward, + So that the file-leavings might not over fiercely, + Were they never so shower-hard, scathe the shield-bold, + When he 'gainst the angry in anger should get him. + Therewith bade the earls' burg that eight of the horses + With cheek-plates adorned be led down the floor + In under the fences; on one thereof stood + A saddle all craft-bedeck'd, seemly with treasure. + That same was the war-seat of the high King full surely + Whenas that the sword-play that Healfdene's son 1040 + Would work; never failed in front of the war + The wide-kenn'd one's war-might, whereas fell the slain. + So to Beowulf thereon of either of both + The Ingwines' high warder gave wielding to have, + Both the war-steeds and weapons, and bade him well brook them. + Thuswise and so manly the mighty of princes, + Hoard-warden of heroes, the battle-race paid + With mares and with gems, so as no man shall blame them, + E'en he who will say sooth aright as it is. + + + + + XVII. THEY FEAST IN HART. + THE GLEEMAN SINGS OF FINN AND HENGEST. + + + Then the lord of the earl-folk to every and each one 1050 + Of them who with Beowulf the sea-ways had worn + Then and there on the mead-bench did handsel them treasure, + An heir-loom to wit; for him also he bade it + That a were-gild be paid, whom Grendel aforetime + By wickedness quell'd, as far more of them would he, + Save from them God all-witting the weird away wended, + And that man's mood withal. But the Maker all wielded + Of the kindred of mankind, as yet now he doeth. + Therefore through-witting will be the best everywhere + And the forethought of mind. Many things must abide 1060 + Of lief and of loth, he who here a long while + In these days of the strife with the world shall be dealing. + There song was and sound all gather'd together + Of that Healfdene's warrior and wielder of battle, + The wood of glee greeted, the lay wreaked often, + Whenas the hall-game the minstrel of Hrothgar + All down by the mead-bench tale must be making: + By Finn's sons aforetime, when the fear gat them, + The hero of Half-Danes, Hnaef of the Scyldings, + On the slaughter-field Frisian needs must he fall. 1070 + Forsooth never Hildeburh needed to hery + The troth of the Eotens; she all unsinning + Was lorne of her lief ones in that play of the linden, + Her bairns and her brethren, by fate there they fell + Spear-wounded. That was the all-woeful of women. + Not unduly without cause the daughter of Hoc + Mourn'd the Maker's own shaping, sithence came the morn + When she under the heavens that tide came to see, + Murder-bale of her kinsmen, where most had she erewhile? + Of world's bliss. The war-tide took all men away 1080 + Of Finn's thanes that were, save only a few; + E'en so that he might not on the field of the meeting + Hold Hengest a war-tide, or fight any whit, + Nor yet snatch away thence by war the woe-leavings + From the thane of the King; but terms now they bade him + That for them other stead all for all should make room, + A hall and high settle, whereof the half-wielding + They with the Eotens' bairns henceforth might hold, + And with fee-gifts moreover the son of Folkwalda + Each day of the days the Danes should beworthy; 1090 + The war-heap of Hengest with rings should he honour + Even so greatly with treasure of treasures, + Of gold all beplated, as he the kin Frisian + Down in the beer-hall duly should dight. + Troth then they struck there each of the two halves, + A peace-troth full fast. There Finn unto Hengest + Strongly, unstrifeful, with oath-swearing swore, + That he the woe-leaving by the doom of the wise ones + Should hold in ail honour, that never man henceforth + With word or with work the troth should be breaking, 1100 + Nor through craft of the guileful should undo it ever, + Though their ring-giver's bane they must follow in rank + All lordless, e'en so need is it to be: + But if any of Frisians by over-bold speaking + The murderful hatred should call unto mind, + Then naught but the edge of the sword should avenge it. + Then done was the oath there, and gold of the golden + Heav'd up from the hoard. Of the bold Here-Scyldings + All yare on the bale was the best battle-warrior; + On the death-howe beholden was easily there 1110 + The sark stain'd with war-sweat, the all-golden swine, + The iron-hard boar; there was many an atheling + With wounds all outworn; some on slaughter-field welter'd. + But Hildeburh therewith on Hnęf's bale she bade them + The own son of herself to set fast in the flame, + His bone-vats to burn up and lay on the bale there: + On his shoulder all woeful the woman lamented, + Sang songs of bewailing, as the warrior strode upward, + Wound up to the welkin that most of death-fires, + Before the howe howled; there molten the heads were, 1120 + The wound-gates burst open, there blood was out-springing + From foe-bites of the body; the flame swallow'd all, + The greediest of ghosts, of them that war gat him + Of either of folks; shaken off was their life-breath. + + + + + XVIII. THE ENDING OF THE TALE OF FINN. + + + Departed the warriors their wicks to visit + All forlorn of their friends now, Friesland to look on, + Their homes and their high burg. Hengest a while yet + Through the slaughter-dyed winter bode dwelling with Finn + And all without strife: he remember'd his homeland, + Though never he might o'er the mere be a-driving 1130 + The high prow be-ringed: with storm the holm welter'd, + Won war 'gainst the winds; winter locked the waves + With bondage of ice, till again came another + Of years into the garth, as yet it is ever, + And the days which the season to watch never cease, + The glory-bright weather; then gone was the winter, + And fair was the earth's barm. Now hastened the exile. + The guest from the garths; he on getting of vengeance + Of harms thought more greatly than of the sea's highway, + If he but a wrath-mote might yet be a-wending 1140 + Where the bairns of the Eotens might he still remember. + The ways of the world forwent he in nowise + Then, whenas Hunlafing the light of the battle, + The best of all bills, did into his breast, + Whereof mid the Eotens were the edges well knowen. + Withal to the bold-hearted Finn befell after + Sword-bales the deadly at his very own dwelling, + When the grim grip of war Guthlaf and Oslaf + After the sea-fare lamented with sorrow + And wyted him deal of their woes; nor then might he 1150 + In his breast hold his wavering heart. Was the hall dight + With the lives of slain foemen, and slain eke was Finn + The King 'midst of his court-men; and there the Queen, taken, + The shooters of the Scyldings ferry'd down to the sea-ships, + And the house-wares and chattels the earth-king had had, + E'en such as at Finn's home there might they find, + Of collars and cunning gems. They on the sea-path + The all-lordly wife to the Danes straightly wended, + Led her home to their people. So sung was the lay, + The song of the gleeman; then again arose game, 1160 + The bench-voice wax'd brighter, gave forth the birlers + Wine of the wonder-vats. Then came forth Wealhtheow + Under gold ring a-going to where sat the two good ones, + The uncle and nephew, yet of kindred unsunder'd, + Each true to the other. Eke Unferth the spokesman + Sat at feet of the Scyldings' lord; each of his heart trow'd + That of mickle mood was he, though he to his kinsmen + Were un-upright in edge-play. Spake the dame of the Scyldings: + Now take thou this cup, my lord of the kingly, + Bestower of treasures! Be thou in thy joyance, 1170 + Thou gold-friend of men! and speak to these Geat-folk + In mild words, as duly behoveth to do; + Be glad toward the Geat-folk, and mindful of gifts; + From anigh and from far peace hast thou as now. + To me one hath said it, that thou for a son wouldst + This warrior be holding. Lo! Hart now is cleansed, + The ring-hall bright-beaming. Have joy while thou mayest + In many a meed, and unto thy kinsmen + Leave folk and dominion, when forth thou must fare + To look on the Maker's own making. I know now 1180 + My Hrothulf the gladsome, that he this young man + Will hold in all honour if thou now before him, + O friend of the Scyldings, shall fare from the world; + I ween that good-will yet this man will be yielding + To our offspring that after us be, if he mind him + Of all that which we two, for good-will and for worship, + Unto him erst a child yet have framed of kindness. + Then along by the bench did she turn, where her boys were, + Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the bairns of high warriors, + The young ones together; and there sat the good one, 1190 + Beowulf the Geat, betwixt the two brethren. + + + + + XIX. MORE GIFTS ARE GIVEN TO BEOWULF. + THE BRISING COLLAR TOLD OF. + + + Borne to him then the cup was, and therewith friendly bidding + In words was put forth; and gold about wounden + All blithely they bade him bear; arm-gearings twain, + Rail and rings, the most greatest of fashion of neck-rings + Of them that on earth I have ever heard tell of: + Not one under heaven wrought better was heard of + Midst the hoard-gems of heroes, since bore away Hama + To the bright burg and brave the neck-gear of the Brisings, + The gem and the gem-chest: from the foeman's guile fled he 1200 + Of Eormenric then, and chose rede everlasting. + That ring Hygelac had, e'en he of the Geat-folk, + The grandson of Swerting, the last time of all times + When he under the war-sign his treasure defended, + The slaughter-prey warded. Him weird bore away + Sithence he for pride-sake the war-woe abided, + The feud with the Frisians; the fretwork he flitted, + The gem-stones much worthy, all over the waves' cup. + The King the full mighty cring'd under the shield; + Into grasp of the Franks the King's life was gotten 1210 + With the gear of the breast and the ring altogether; + It was worser war-wolves then reft gear from the slain + After the war-shearing; there the Geats' war-folk + Held the house of the dead men. The Hall took the voices; + Spake out then Wealhtheow; before the host said she: + Brook thou this roundel, lief Beowulf, henceforth, + Dear youth, with all hail, and this rail be thou using, + These gems of folk-treasures, and thrive thou well ever; + Thy might then make manifest! Be to these lads here + Kind of lore, and for that will I look to thy guerdon. 1220 + Thou hast won by thy faring, that far and near henceforth, + Through wide time to come, men will give thee the worship, + As widely as ever the sea winds about + The windy land-walls. Be the while thou art living + An atheling wealthy, and well do I will thee + Of good of the treasures; be thou to my son + In deed ever friendly, and uphold thy joyance! + Lo! each of the earls here to the other is trusty, + And mild of his mood and to man-lord full faithful, + Kind friends all the thanes are, the folk ever yare. 1230 + Ye well drunk of folk-grooms, now do ye my biddings. + To her settle then far'd she; was the feast of the choicest, + The men drank the wine nothing wotting of weird, + The grim shaping of old, e'en as forth it had gone + To a many of earls; sithence came the even, + And Hrothgar departed to his chamber on high, + The rich to his rest; and aright the house warded + Earls untold of number, as oft did they erewhile. + The bench-boards they bar'd them, and there they spread over + With beds and with bolsters. Of the beer-skinkers one 1240 + Who fain was and fey bow'd adown to his floor-rest. + At their heads then they rested their rounds of the battle, + Their board-woods bright-shining. There on the bench was, + Over the atheling, easy to look on + The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny be-ringed, + The wood of the onset, all-glorious. Their wont was + That oft and oft were they all yare for the war-tide, + Both at home and in hosting, were it one were it either, + And for every such tide as their liege lord unto + The need were befallen: right good was that folk. 1250 + + + + + XX. GRENDEL'S DAM BREAKS INTO HART + AND BEARS OFF AESCHERE. + + + So sank they to slumber; but one paid full sorely + For his rest of the even, as to them fell full often + Sithence that the gold-hall Grendel had guarded, + And won deed of unright, until that the end came + And death after sinning: but clear was it shown now, + Wide wotted of men, that e'en yet was a wreaker + Living after the loathly, a long while of time + After the battle-care, Grendel's own mother; + The woman, the monster-wife, minded her woe, + She who needs must in horror of waters be wonning, 1260 + The streams all a-cold, sithence Cain was become + For an edge-bane forsooth to his very own brother, + The own son of his father. Forth bann'd then he fared, + All marked by murder, from man's joy to flee, + And dwelt in the waste-land. Thence woke there a many + Ghosts shapen of old time, of whom one was Grendel, + The fierce wolf, the hateful, who found him at Hart + A man there a-watching, abiding the war-tide; + Where to him the fell ogre to hand-grips befell; + Howe'er he him minded of the strength of his might, 1270 + The great gift set fast in him given of God, + And trowed in grace by the All-wielder given, + His fostering, his staying; so the fiend he o'ercame + And bow'd down the Hell's ghost, that all humble he wended + Fordone of all mirth death's house to go look on, + That fiend of all mankind. But yet was his mother, + The greedy, the glum-moody, fain to be going + A sorrowful journey her son's death to wreak. + So came she to Hart whereas now the Ring-Danes + Were sleeping adown the hall; soon there befell 1280 + Change of days to the earl-folk, when in she came thrusting, + Grendel's mother: and soothly was minish'd the terror + By even so much as the craft-work of maidens, + The war-terror of wife, is beside the man weapon'd, + When the sword all hard bounden, by hammers to-beaten, + The sword all sweat-stain'd, through the swine o'er the war-helm + With edges full doughty down rightly sheareth. + But therewith in the hall was tugg'd out the hard edge, + The sword o'er the settles, and wide shields a many + Heaved fast in the hand: no one the helm heeded, 1290 + Nor the byrny wide-wrought, when the wild fear fell on them. + In haste was she then, and out would she thenceforth + For the saving her life, whenas she should be found there. + But one of the athelings she speedily handled + And caught up full fast, and fenward so fared. + But he was unto Hrothgar the liefest of heroes + Of the sort of the fellows; betwixt the two sea-floods + A mighty shield-warrior, whom she at rest brake up, + A war-wight well famed. There Beowulf was not; + Another house soothly had erewhile been dighted 1300 + After gift of that treasure to that great one of Geats. + Uprose cry then in Hart, all 'mid gore had she taken + The hand, the well-known, and now care wrought anew + In the wicks was arisen. Naught well was the bargain + That on both halves they needs must be buying that tide + With the life-days of friends. Then the lord king, the wise, + The hoary of war-folk, was harmed of mood + When his elder of thanes and he now unliving, + The dearest of all, he knew to be dead. + To the bower full swiftly was Beowulf brought now, 1310 + The man victory-dower'd; together with day-dawn + Went he, one of the earls, that champion beworthy'd, + Himself with his fellows, where the wise was abiding + To wot if the All-wielder ever will to him + After the tale of woe happy change work. + Then went down the floor he the war-worthy + With the host of his hand, while high dinn'd the hall-wood, + Till he there the wise one with words had well greeted, + The lord of the Ingwines, and ask'd had the night been. + Since sore he was summon'd, a night of sweet easement. 1320 + + + + + XXI. HROTHGAR LAMENTS THE SLAYING OF AESCHERE, + AND TELLS OF GRENDEL'S MOTHER AND HER DEN. + + + Spake out then Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings: + Ask no more after bliss; for new-made now is sorrow + For the folk of the Danes; for Aeschere is dead, + He who was Yrmenlaf's elder of brethren, + My wise man of runes, my bearer of redes, + Mine own shoulder-fellow, when we in the war-tide + Warded our heads and the host on the host fell, + And the boars were a-crashing; e'en such should an earl be, + An atheling exceeding good, e'en as was Aeschere. + Now in Hart hath befallen for a hand-bane unto him 1330 + A slaughter-ghost wandering; naught wot I whither + The fell one, the carrion-proud, far'd hath her back-fare, + By her fill made all famous. That feud hath she wreaked + Wherein yesternight gone by Grendel thou quelledst + Through thy hardihood fierce with grips hard enow. + For that he over-long the lief people of me + Made to wane and undid. In the war then he cringed, + Being forfeit of life. But now came another, + An ill-scather mighty, her son to awreak; + And further hath she now the feud set on foot, 1340 + As may well be deemed of many a thane, + Who after the wealth-giver weepeth in mind, + A hard bale of heart. Now the hand lieth low + Which well-nigh for every joy once did avail you. + The dwellers in land here, my people indeed, + The wise-of-rede hall-folk, have I heard say e'en this: + That they have set eyes on two such-like erewhile, + Two mickle mark-striders the moorland a-holding, + Ghosts come from elsewhere, but of them one there was, + As full certainly might they then know it to be, 1350 + In the likeness of woman; and the other shap'd loathly + All after man's image trod the tracks of the exile, + Save that more was he shapen than any man other; + And in days gone away now they named him Grendel, + The dwellers in fold; they wot not if a father + Unto him was born ever in the days of erewhile + Of dark ghosts. They dwell in a dim hidden land, + The wolf-bents they bide in, on the nesses the windy, + The perilous fen-paths where the stream of the fell-side + Midst the mists of the nesses wends netherward ever, 1360 + The flood under earth. Naught far away hence, + But a mile-mark forsooth, there standeth the mere, + And over it ever hang groves all berimed, + The wood fast by the roots over-helmeth the water. + But each night may one a dread wonder there see, + A fire in the flood. But none liveth so wise + Of the bairns of mankind, that the bottom may know. + Although the heath-stepper beswinked by hounds, + The hart strong of horns, that holt-wood should seek to + Driven fleeing from far, he shall sooner leave life, 1370 + Leave life-breath on the bank, or ever will he + Therein hide his head. No hallow'd stead is it: + Thence the blending of water-waves ever upriseth + Wan up to the welkin, whenso the wind stirreth + Weather-storms loathly, until the lift darkens + And weepeth the heavens. Now along the rede wendeth + Of thee again only. Of that earth yet thou know'st not, + The fearful of steads, wherein thou mayst find + That much-sinning wight; seek then if thou dare, + And thee for that feud will I guerdon with fee, 1380 + The treasures of old time, as erst did I do, + With the gold all-bewounden, if away thence thou get thee. + + + + + XXII. THEY FOLLOW GRENDEL'S DAM TO HER LAIR. + + + Spake out then Beowulf the Ecgtheow's bairn: + O wise of men, mourn not; for to each man 'tis better + That his friend he awreak than weep overmuch. + Lo! each of us soothly abideth the ending + Of the life of the world. Then let him work who work may + High deeds ere the death: to the doughty of war-lads + When he is unliving shall it best be hereafter. + Rise up, warder of kingdom! and swiftly now wend we 1390 + The Grendel Kinswoman's late goings to look on; + And this I behote thee, that to holm shall she flee not, + Nor into earth's fathom, nor into the fell-holt, + Nor the grounds of the ocean, go whereas she will go. + For this one of days patience dree thou a while then + Of each one of thy woes, as I ween it of thee. + Then leapt up the old man, and lightly gave God thank, + That mighty of Lords, for the word which the man spake. + And for Hrothgar straightway then was bitted a horse, + A wave-maned steed: and the wise of the princes 1400 + Went stately his ways; and stepp'd out the man-troop, + The linden-board bearers. Now lightly the tracks were + All through the woodland ways wide to be seen there, + Her goings o'er ground; she had gotten her forthright + Over the mirk-moor: bore she of kindred thanes + The best that there was, all bare of his soul, + Of them that with Hrothgar heeded the home. + Overwent then that bairn of the athelings + Steep bents of the stones, and stridings full narrow, + Strait paths nothing pass'd over, ways all uncouth, 1410 + Sheer nesses to wit, many houses of nicors. + He one of the few was going before + Of the wise of the men the meadow to look on, + Until suddenly there the trees of the mountains + Over the hoar-stone found he a-leaning, + A wood without gladness: the water stood under + Dreary and troubled. Unto all the Danes was it, + To the friends of the Scyldings, most grievous in mood + To many of thanes such a thing to be tholing, + Sore evil to each one of earls, for of Aeschere 1420 + The head did they find e'en there on the holm-cliff; + The flood with gore welled (the folk looking on it), + With hot blood. But whiles then the horn fell to singing + A song of war eager. There sat down the band; + They saw down the water a many of worm-kind, + Sea-drakes seldom seen a-kenning the sound; + Likewise on the ness-bents nicors a-lying, + Who oft on the undern-tide wont are to hold them + A course full of sorrow all over the sail-road. + Now the worms and the wild-deer away did they speed 1430 + Bitter and wrath-swollen all as they heard it, + The war-horn a-wailing: but one the Geats' warden + With his bow of the shafts from his life-days there sunder'd, + From his strife of the waves; so that stood in his life-parts + The hard arrow of war; and he in the holm was + The slower in swimming as death away swept him. + So swiftly in sea-waves with boar-spears forsooth + Sharp-hook'd and hard-press'd was he thereupon, + Set on with fierce battle, and on to the ness tugg'd, + The wondrous wave-bearer; and men were beholding 1440 + The grisly guest, Beowulf therewith he gear'd him + With weed of the earls: nowise of life reck'd he: + Needs must his war-byrny, braided by hands, + Wide, many-colour'd by cunning, the sound seek, + E'en that which his bone-coffer knew how to ward, + So that the war-grip his heart ne'er a while, + The foe-snatch of the wrathful his life ne'er should scathe; + Therewith the white war-helm warded his head, + E'en that which should mingle with ground of the mere, + And seek the sound-welter, with treasure beworthy'd, 1450 + All girt with the lordly chains, as in days gone by + The weapon-smith wrought it most wondrously done, + Beset with the swine-shapes, so that sithence + The brand or the battle-blades never might bite it. + Nor forsooth was that littlest of all of his mainstays, + Which to him in his need lent the spokesman of Hrothgar, + E'en the battle-sword hafted that had to name Hrunting, + That in fore days was one of the treasures of old, + The edges of iron with the poison twigs o'er-stain'd, + With battle-sweat harden'd; in the brunt never fail'd he 1460 + Any one of the warriors whose hand wound about him, + Who in grisly wayfarings durst ever to wend him + To the folk-stead of foemen. Not the first of times was it + That battle-work doughty it had to be doing. + Forsooth naught remember'd that son there of Ecglaf, + The crafty in mighty deeds, what ere he quoth + All drunken with wine, when the weapon he lent + To a doughtier sword-wolf: himself naught he durst it + Under war of the waves there his life to adventure + And warrior-ship work. So forwent he the glory, 1470 + The fair fame of valour. Naught far'd so the other + Syth he to the war-tide had gear'd him to wend. + + + + + XXIII. BEOWULF REACHETH THE MERE-BOTTOM IN A DAY'S WHILE, + AND CONTENDS WITH GRENDEL'S DAM. + + + Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + Forsooth be thou mindful, O great son of Healfdene, + O praise of the princes, now way-fain am I, + O gold-friend of men, what we twain spake aforetime: + If to me for thy need it might so befall + That I cease from my life-days, thou shouldest be ever + To me, forth away wended, in the stead of a father. + Do thou then bear in hand these thanes of my kindred, 1480 + My hand-fellows, if so be battle shall have me; + Those same treasures withal, which thou gavest me erst, + O Hrothgar the lief, unto Hygelac send thou; + By that gold then shall wot the lord of the Geat-folk, + Shall Hrethel's son see, when he stares on the treasure, + That I in fair man-deeds a good one have found me, + A ring-giver; while I might, joy made I thereof. + And let thou then Unferth the ancient loom have, + The wave-sword adorned, that man kenned widely, + The blade of hard edges; for I now with Hrunting 1490 + Will work me the glory, or else shall death get me. + So after these words the Weder-Geats' chieftain + With might of heart hasten'd; nor for answer then would he + Aught tarry; the sea-welter straightway took hold on + The warrior of men: wore the while of a daytide + Or ever the ground-plain might he set eyes on. + Soon did she find, she who the flood-ring + Sword-ravening had held for an hundred of seasons, + Greedy and grim, that there one man of grooms + The abode of the alien-wights sought from above; 1500 + Then toward him she grasp'd and gat hold on the warrior + With fell clutch, but no sooner she scathed withinward + The hale body; rings from without-ward it warded, + That she could in no wise the war-skin clutch through, + The fast locked limb-sark, with fingers all loathly. + So bare then that sea-wolf when she came unto bottom + The king of the rings to the court-hall adown + In such wise that he might not, though hard-moody was he, + Be wielding of weapons. But a many of wonders + In sea-swimming swink'd him, and many a sea-deer 1510 + With his war-tusks was breaking his sark of the battle; + The fell wights him follow'd. 'Twas then the earl found it + That in foe-hall there was he, I wot not of which, + Where never the water might scathe him a whit, + Nor because of the roof-hall might reach to him there + The fear-grip of the flood. Now fire-light he saw, + The bleak beam forsooth all brightly a-shining. + Then the good one, he saw the wolf of the ground, + The mere-wife the mighty, and main onset made he + With his battle-bill; never his hand withheld sword-swing 1520 + So that there on her head sang the ring-sword forsooth + The song of war greedy. But then found the guest + That the beam of the battle would bite not therewith, + Or scathe life at all, but there failed the edge + The king in his need. It had ere thol'd a many + Of meetings of hand; oft it sheared the helm, + The host-rail of the fey one; and then was the first time + For that treasure dear lov'd that its might lay a-low. + But therewithal steadfast, naught sluggish of valour, + All mindful of high deeds was Hygelac's kinsman. 1530 + Cast then the wounden blade bound with the gem-stones + The warrior all angry, that it lay on the earth there, + Stiff-wrought and steel-edged. In strength now he trusted, + The hard hand-grip of might and main; so shall a man do + When he in the war-tide yet looketh to winning + The praise that is longsome, nor aught for life careth. + Then fast by the shoulder, of the feud nothing recking, + The lord of the War-Geats clutch'd Grendel's mother, + Cast down the battle-hard, bollen with anger, + That foe of the life, till she bow'd to the floor; 1540 + But swiftly to him gave she back the hand-guerdon + With hand-graspings grim, and griped against him; + Then mood-weary stumbled the strongest of warriors, + The foot-kemp, until that adown there he fell. + Then she sat on the hall-guest and tugg'd out her sax, + The broad and brown-edged, to wreak her her son, + Her offspring her own. But lay yet on his shoulder + The breast-net well braided, the berg of his life, + That 'gainst point and 'gainst edge the entrance withstood. + Gone amiss then forsooth had been Ecgtheow's son 1550 + Underneath the wide ground there, the kemp of the Geats, + Save to him his war-byrny had fram'd him a help, + The hard host-net; and save that the Lord God the Holy + Had wielded the war-gain, the Lord the All-wise; + Save that the skies' Ruler had rightwisely doom'd it + All easily. Sithence he stood up again. + + + + + XXIV. BEOWULF SLAYETH GRENDEL'S DAM, + SMITETH OFF GRENDEL'S HEAD, + AND COMETH BACK WITH HIS THANES TO HART. + + + Midst the war-gear he saw then a bill victory-wealthy, + An old sword of eotens full doughty of edges, + The worship of warriors. That was choice of all weapons, + Save that more was it made than any man other 1560 + In the battle-play ever might bear it afield, + So goodly, all glorious, the work of the giants. + Then the girdled hilt seiz'd he, the Wolf of the Scyldings, + The rough and the sword-grim, and drew forth the ring-sword, + Naught weening of life, and wrathful he smote then + So that there on her halse the hard edge begripped, + And brake through the bone-rings: the bill all through-waded + Her flesh-sheathing fey; cring'd she down on the floor; + The sword was war-sweaty, the man in his work joy'd. + The bright beam shone forth, the light stood withinward, 1570 + E'en as down from the heavens' clear high aloft shineth + The sky's candle. He all along the house scanned; + Then turn'd by the wall along, heav'd up his weapon + Hard by the hilts the Hygelac's thane there, + Ireful one-reded; naught worthless the edge was + Unto the warrior; but rathely now would he + To Grendel make payment of many war-onsets, + Of them that he wrought on the folk of the West Danes + Oftener by mickle than one time alone, + Whenas he the hearthfellows of Hrothgar the King 1580 + Slew in their slumber and fretted them sleeping, + Men fifteen to wit of the folk of the Danes, + And e'en such another deal ferry'd off outward, + Loathly prey. Now he paid him his guerdon therefor, + The fierce champion; so well, that abed there he saw + Where Grendel war-weary was lying adown + Forlorn of his life, as him ere had scathed + The battle at Hart; sprang wide the body, + Sithence after death he suffer'd the stroke, + The hard swing of sword. Then he smote the head off him. 1590 + Now soon were they seeing, those sage of the carles, + E'en they who with Hrothgar gaz'd down on the holm, + That the surge of the billows was blended about, + The sea stain'd with blood. Therewith the hoar-blended, + The old men, of the good one gat talking together + That they of the Atheling ween'd never eft-soon + That he, glad in his war-gain, should wend him a-seeking + The mighty king, since unto many it seemed + That him the mere-she-wolf had sunder'd and broken. + Came then nones of the day, and the ness there they gave up, 1600 + The Scyldings the brisk; and then busk'd him home thence-ward + The gold-friend of men. But the guests, there they sat + All sick of their mood, and star'd on the mere; + They wist not, they ween'd not if him their own friend-lord + Himself they should see. + Now that sword began + Because of the war-sweat into icicles war-made, + The war-bill, to wane: that was one of the wonders + That it melted away most like unto ice + When the bond of the frost the Father lets loosen, + Unwindeth the wave-ropes, e'en he that hath wielding 1610 + Of times and of seasons, who is the sooth Shaper. + In those wicks there he took not, the Weder-Geats' champion, + Of treasure-wealth more, though he saw there a many, + Than the off-smitten head and the sword-hilts together + With treasure made shifting; for the sword-blade was molten, + The sword broider'd was burn'd up, so hot was that blood, + So poisonous the alien ghost there that had died. + Now soon was a-swimming he who erst in the strife bode + The war-onset of wrath ones; he div'd up through the water; + And now were the wave-welters cleansed full well, 1620 + Yea the dwellings full wide, where the ghost of elsewhither + Let go of his life-days and the waning of living. + Came then unto land the helm of the ship-lads + Swimming stout-hearted, glad of his sea-spoil, + The burden so mighty of that which he bore there. + Yode then against him and gave thanks to God + That fair heap of thanes, and were fain of their lord, + For that hale and sound now they might see him with eyen; + Then was from the bold one the helm and the byrny + All speedily loosen'd. The lake now was laid, 1630 + The water 'neath welkin with war-gore bestained. + Forth then they far'd them alongst of the foot-tracks, + Men fain of heart all, as they meted the earth-way, + The street the well known; then those king-bold of men + Away from the holm-cliff the head there they bore + Uneasily ever to each one that bore it, + The full stout-heart of men: it was four of them needs must + On the stake of the slaughter with strong toil there ferry + Unto the gold-hall the head of that Grendel; + Until forthright in haste came into that hall, 1640 + Fierce, keen in the hosting, a fourteen of men + Of the Geat-folk a-ganging; and with them their lord, + The moody amidst of the throng, trod the mead-plains; + Came then in a-wending the foreman of thanes, + The man keen of his deeds all beworshipp'd of doom, + The hero, the battle-deer, Hrothgar to greet. + Then was by the fell borne in onto the floor + Grendel's head, whereas men were a-drinking in hall, + Aweful before the earls, yea and the woman. + The sight wondrous to see the warriors there look'd on. 1650 + + + + + XXV. CONVERSE OF HROTHGAR WITH BEOWULF. + + + Spake out then Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + What! we the sea-spoils here to thee, son of Healfdene, + High lord of the Scyldings, with lust have brought hither + For a token of glory, e'en these thou beholdest. + Now I all unsoftly with life I escaped, + In war under the water dar'd I the work + Full hard to be worked, and well-nigh there was + The sundering of strife, save that me God had shielded. + So it is that in battle naught might I with Hrunting + One whit do the work, though the weapon be doughty; 1660 + But to me then he granted, the Wielder of men, + That on wall I beheld there all beauteous hanging + An ancient sword, might-endow'd (often he leadeth right + The friendless of men); so forth drew I that weapon. + In that onset I slew there, as hap then appaid me, + The herd of the house; then that bill of the host, + The broider'd sword, burn'd up, and that blood sprang forth + The hottest of battle-sweats; but the hilts thereof thenceforth + From the foemen I ferry'd. I wreaked the foul deeds, + The death-quelling of Danes, e'en as duly behoved. 1670 + Now this I behote thee, that here in Hart mayst thou + Sleep sorrowless henceforth with the host of thy men + And the thanes every one that are of thy people + Of doughty and young; that for them need thou dread not, + O high lord of Scyldings, on that behalf soothly + Life-bale for the earls as erst thou hast done. + Then was the hilt golden to the ancient of warriors, + The hoary of host-leaders, into hand given, + The old work of giants; it turn'd to the owning, + After fall of the Devils, of the lord of the Danes, 1680 + That work of the wonder-smith, syth gave up the world + The fierce-hearted groom, the foeman of God, + The murder-beguilted, and there eke his mother; + Unto the wielding of world-kings it turned, + The best that there be betwixt of the sea-floods + Of them that in Scaney dealt out the scat. + Now spake out Hrothgar, as he look'd on the hilts there, + The old heir-loom whereon was writ the beginning + Of the strife of the old time, whenas the flood slew, + The ocean a-gushing, that kin of the giants 1690 + As fiercely they fared. That was a folk alien + To the Lord everlasting; so to them a last guerdon + Through the welling of waters the Wielder did give. + So was on the sword-guards all of the sheer gold + By dint of the rune-staves rightly bemarked, + Set down and said for whom first was that sword wrought, + And the choice of all irons erst had been done, + Wreath-hilted and worm-adorn'd. Then spake the wise one, + Healfdene's son, and all were gone silent: + Lo that may he say, who the right and the soothfast 1700 + Amid the folk frameth, and far back all remembers, + The old country's warden, that as for this earl here + Born better was he. Uprear'd is the fame-blast + Through wide ways far yonder, O Beowulf, friend mine, + Of thee o'er all peoples. Thou hold'st all with patience, + Thy might with mood-wisdom; I shall make thee my love good, + As we twain at first spake it. For a comfort thou shalt be + Granted long while and long unto thy people, + For a help unto heroes. Naught such became Heremod + To Ecgwela's offspring, the honourful Scyldings; 1710 + For their welfare naught wax'd he, but for felling in slaughter, + For the quelling of death to the folk of the Danes. + Mood-swollen he brake there his board-fellows soothly, + His shoulder-friends, until he sunder'd him lonely, + That mighty of princes, from the mirth of all men-folk. + Though him God the mighty in the joyance of might, + In main strength, exalted high over all-men, + And framed him forth, yet fast in his heart grew + A breast-hoard blood-fierce; none of fair rings he gave + To the Danes as due doom would. Unmerry he dured 1720 + So that yet of that strife the trouble he suffer'd. + A folk-bale so longsome. By such do thou learn thee, + Get thee hold of man-valour: this tale for thy teaching + Old in winters I tell thee. 'Tis wonder to say it, + How the high God almighty to the kindred of mankind + Through his mind the wide-fashion'd deals wisdom about, + Home and earlship; he owneth the wielding of all. + At whiles unto love he letteth to turn + The mood-thought of a man that Is mighty of kindred, + And in his land giveth him joyance of earth, 1730 + And to have and to hold the high ward-burg of men, + And sets so 'neath his wielding the deals of the world, + Dominion wide reaching, that he himself may not + In all his unwisdom of the ending bethink him. + He wonneth well-faring, nothing him wasteth + Sickness nor eld, nor the foe-sorrow to him + Dark in mind waxeth, nor strife any where, + The edge-hate, appeareth; but all the world for him + Wends as he willeth, and the worse naught he wotteth. + + + + + XXVI. MORE CONVERSE OF HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF: + THE GEATS MAKE THEM READY FOR DEPARTURE. + + + Until that within him a deal of o'erthink-ing 1740 + Waxeth and groweth while sleepeth the warder, + The soul's herdsman; that slumber too fast is forsooth, + Fast bounden by troubles, the banesman all nigh, + E'en he that from arrow-bow evilly shooteth. + Then he in his heart under helm is besmitten + With a bitter shaft; not a whit then may he ward him + From the wry wonder-biddings of the ghost the all-wicked. + Too little he deems that which long he hath hold. + Wrath-greedy he covets; nor e'en for boast-sake gives + The rings fair beplated; and the forth-coming doom 1750 + Forgetteth, forheedeth, for that God gave him erewhile, + The Wielder of glory, a deal of the worship. + At the ending-stave then it after befalleth + That the shell of his body sinks fleeting away, + And falleth all fey; and another one fetcheth, + E'en one that undolefully dealeth the treasure, + The earl's gains of aforetime, and fear never heedeth. + From the bale-envy ward thee, lief Beowulf, therefore, + Thou best of all men, and choose thee the better, + The redes everlasting; to o'erthinkirig turn not, 1760 + O mighty of champions! for now thy might breatheth + For a short while of time; but eft-soon it shall be + That sickness or edges from thy strength thee shall sunder, + Or the hold of the fire, or the welling of floods, + Or the grip of the sword-blade, or flight of the spear, + Or eld the all-evil: or the beaming of eyen + Shall fail and shall dim: then shall it be forthright + That thee, lordly man, the death over-masters. + E'en so I the Ring-Danes for an hundred of seasons + Did wield under the welkin and lock'd them by war 1770 + From many a kindred the Middle-Garth over + With ash-spears and edges, in such wise that not ever + Under the sky's run of my foemen I reckoned. + What! to me in my land came a shifting of that, + Came grief after game, sithence Grendel befell, + My foeman of old, mine ingoer soothly. + I from that onfall bore ever unceasing + Mickle mood-care; herefor be thanks to the Maker, + To the Lord everlasting, that in life I abided, + Yea, that I on that head all sword-gory there, 1780 + Now the old strife is over, with eyen should stare. + Go fare thou to settle, the feast-joyance dree thou, + O war-worshipp'd! unto us twain yet there will be + Mickle treasure in common when come is the morning. + Glad of mood then the Geat was, and speedy he gat him + To go see the settle, as the sage one commanded. + Then was after as erst, that they of the might-fame, + The floor-sitters, fairly the feasting bedight them + All newly. The helm of the night loured over + Dark over the host-men. Uprose all the doughty, 1790 + For he, the hoar-blended, would wend to his bed, + That old man of the Scyldings. The Geat without measure, + The mighty shield-warrior, now willed him rest. + And soon now the hall-thane him of way-faring weary, + From far away come, forth show'd him the road, + E'en he who for courtesy cared for all things + Of the needs of the thane, e'en such as on that day + The farers o'er ocean would fainly have had. + Rested then the wide-hearted; high up the house tower'd + Wide-gaping all gold-dight; within slept the guest; 1800 + Until the black raven, the blithe-hearted, boded + The heavens' joy: then was come thither a-hastening + The bright sun o'er the plains, and hastened the scathers, + The athelings once more aback to their people + All fain to be faring; and far away thence + Would the comer high-hearted go visit his keel. + Bade then the hard one Hrunting to bear, + The Ecglaf's son bade to take him his sword, + The iron well-lov'd; gave him thanks for the lending, + Quoth he that the war-friend for worthy he told, 1810 + Full of craft in the war; nor with word he aught + The edge of the sword. Hah! the high-hearted warrior. + So whenas all way-forward, yare in their war-gear, + Were the warriors, the dear one then went to the Danes, + To the high seat went the Atheling, whereas was the other; + The battle-bold warrior gave greeting to Hrothgar. + + + + + XXVII. BEOWULF BIDS HROTHGAR FAREWELL: + THE GEATS FARE TO SHIP. + + + Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + As now we sea-farers have will to be saying, + We from afar come, that now are we fainest + Of seeking to Hygelac. Here well erst were we 1820 + Serv'd as our wills would, and well thine avail was. + If I on the earth then, be it e'en but a little, + Of the love of thy mood may yet more be an-earning, + O lord of the men-folk, than heretofore might I, + Of the works of the battle yare then soon shall I be. + If I should be learning, I over the flood's run, + That the sitters about thee beset thee with dread, + Even thee hating as otherwhile did they; + Then thousands to theeward of thanes shall I bring + For the helping of heroes. Of Hygelac wot I, 1830 + The lord of the Geat-folk, though he be but a youngling, + That shepherd of folk, that me will he further + By words and by works, that well may I ward thee, + And unto thine helping the spear-holt may bear, + A main-staying mighty, whenas men thou art needing. + And if therewith Hrethric in the courts of the Geat-house, + The King's bairn, take hosting, then may he a many + Of friends find him soothly: far countries shall be + Better sought to by him who for himself is doughty. + Out then spake Hrothgar in answer to himward: 1840 + Thy word-saying soothly the Lord of all wisdom + Hath sent into thy mind; never heard I more sagely + In a life that so young was a man word be laying; + Strong of might and main art thou and sage of thy mood, + Wise the words of thy framing. Tell I this for a weening, + If it so come to pass that the spear yet shall take, + Or the battle all sword-grim, the son of that Hrethel, + Or sickness or iron thine Alderman have, + Thy shepherd of folk, and thou fast to life hold thee, + Then no better than thee may the Sea-Geats be having 1850 + To choose for themselves, no one of the kings, + Hoard-warden of heroes, if then thou wilt hold + Thy kinsman's own kingdom. Me liketh thy mood-heart, + The longer the better, O Beowulf the lief; + In such wise hast thou fared, that unto the folks now, + The folk of the Geats and the Gar-Danes withal, + In common shall peace be, and strife rest appeased + And the hatreds the doleful which erst they have dreed; + Shall become, whiles I wield it, this wide realm of ours, + Treasures common to either folk: many a one other 1860 + With good things shall greet o'er the bath of the gannet; + And the ring'd bark withal over sea shall be bringing + The gifts and love-tokens. The twain folks I know + Toward foeman toward friend fast-fashion'd together, + In every way blameless as in the old wise. + Then the refuge of warriors, he gave him withal, + Gave Healfdene's son of treasures yet twelve; + And he bade him with those gifts to go his own people + To seek in all soundness, and swiftly come back. + Then kissed the king, he of noble kin gotten, 1870 + The lord of the Scyldings, that best of the thanes, + By the halse then he took him; from him fell the tears + From the blended of hoar hair. Of both things was there hoping + To the old, the old wise one; yet most of the other, + To wit, that they sithence each each might be seeing, + The high-heart in council. To him so lief was he + That he his breast-welling might nowise forbear, + But there in his bosom, bound fast in his heart-bonds, + After that dear man a longing dim-hidden + Burn'd against blood-tie. So Beowulf thenceforth, 1880 + The gold-proud of warriors, trod the mould grassy, + Exulting in gold-store. The sea-ganger bided + Its owning-lord whereas at anchor it rode. + Then was there in going the gift of King Hrothgar + Oft highly accounted; yea, that was a king + In every wise blameless, till eld took from him eftsoon + The joyance of might, as it oft scathes a many. + + + + + XXVIII. BEOWULF COMES BACK TO HIS LAND. + OF THE TALE OF THRYTHO. + + + Came a many to flood then all mighty of mood, + Of the bachelors were they, and ring-nets they bore, + The limb-sarks belocked. The land-warden noted 1890 + The earls' aback-faring, as erst he beheld them; + Then nowise with harm from the nose of the cliff + The guests there he greeted, but rode unto themward, + And quoth that full welcome to the folk of the Weders + The bright-coated warriors were wending to ship. + Then was on the sand there the bark the wide-sided + With war-weed beladen, the ring-stemm'd as she lay there + With mares and with treasure; uptower'd the mast + High over Hrothgar's wealth of the hoards. + He then to the boat-warden handsel'd a gold-bounden 1900 + Sword, so that sithence was he on mead-bench + Worthy'd the more for that very same wealth, + The heirloom. Sithence in the ship he departed + To stir the deep water; the Dane-land he left. + Then was by the mast there one of the sea-rails, + A sail, with rope made fast; thunder'd the sound-wood. + Not there the wave-floater did the wind o'er the billows + Waft off from its ways; the sea-wender fared, + Floated the foamy-neck'd forth o'er the waves, + The bounden-stemm'd over the streams of the sea; 1910 + Till the cliffs of the Geats there they gat them to wit, + The nesses well kenned. Throng'd up the keel then + Driven hard by the lift, and stood on the land. + Then speedy at holm was the hythe-warden yare, + E'en he who a long while after the lief men + Eager at stream's side far off had looked. + To the sand thereon bound he the wide-fathom'd ship + With anchor-bands fast, lest from them the waves' might + The wood that was winsome should drive thence awayward. + Thereon bade he upbear the athelings' treasures, 1920 + The fretwork and wrought gold. Not far from them thenceforth + To seek to the giver of treasures it was, + E'en Hygelac, Hrethel's son, where at home wonneth + Himself and his fellows hard by the sea-wall. + Brave was the builded house, bold king the lord was, + High were the walls, Hygd very young, + Wise and well-thriven, though few of winters + Under the burg-locks had she abided, + The daughter of Hęreth; naught was she dastard; + Nowise niggard of gifts to the folk of the Geats, 1930 + Of wealth of the treasures. But wrath Thrytho bore, + The folk-queen the fierce, wrought the crime-deed full fearful. + No one there durst it, the bold one, to dare, + Of the comrades beloved, save only her lord, + That on her by day with eyen he stare, + But if to him death-bonds predestin'd he count on, + Hand-wreathed; thereafter all rathely it was + After the hand-grip the sword-blade appointed, + That the cunning-wrought sword should show forth the deed, + Make known the murder-bale. Naught is such queenlike 1940 + For a woman to handle, though peerless she be, + That a weaver of peace the life should waylay, + For a shame that was lying, of a lief man of men; + But the kinsman of Hemming, he hinder'd it surely. + Yet the drinkers of ale otherwise said they; + That folk-bales, which were lesser, she framed forsooth, + Lesser enmity-malice, since thence erst she was + Given gold-deck'd to the young one of champions, + She the dear of her lineage, since Offa's floor + Over the fallow flood by the lore of her father 1950 + She sought in her wayfaring. Well was she sithence + There on the man-throne mighty with good; + Her shaping of life well brooked she living; + High love she held toward the lord of the heroes; + Of all kindred of men by the hearsay of me + The best of all was he the twain seas beside, + Of the measureless kindred; thereof Offa was + For gifts and for war, the spear-keen of men, + Full widely beworthy'd, with wisdom he held + The land of his heritage. Thence awoke Eomęr 1960 + For a help unto heroes, the kinsman of Hemming, + The grandson of Garmund, the crafty in war-strife. + + + + + XXIX. BEOWULF TELLS HYGELAC OF HROTHGAR: + ALSO OF FREAWARU HIS DAUGHTER. + + + Went his ways then the hard one, and he with his hand-shoal, + Himself over the sand the sea-plain a-treading, + The warths wide away; shone the world's candle, + The sun slop'd from the southward; so dreed they their journey, + And went their ways stoutly unto where the earls' refuge, + The banesman of Ongentheow all in his burgs there, + The young king of war, the good, as they heard it. + Was dealing the rings. Aright unto Hygelac 1970 + Was Beowulf's speeding made knowen full swiftly, + That there into the house-place that hedge of the warriors, + His mate of the linden-board, living was come, + Hale from the battle-play home to him houseward. + Then rathe was beroomed, as the rich one was bidding, + For the guests a-foot going the floor all withinward. + Then sat in the face of him he from the fight sav'd, + Kinsman by kinsman, whenas his man-lord + In fair-sounding speech had greeted the faithful + With mightyful words. With mead-skinking turned 1980 + Through the high house adown the daughter of Hęreth: + The people she loved: the wine-bucket bare she + To the hands of the men. But now fell to Hygelac + His very house-fellow in that hall the high + To question full fairly, for wit-lust to-brake him, + Of what like were the journeys the Sea-Geats had wended: + How befell you the sea-lode, O Beowulf lief, + When thou on a sudden bethoughtst thee afar + Over the salt water the strife to be seeking, + The battle in Hart? or for Hrothgar forsooth 1990 + The wide-kenned woe some whit didst thou mend, + For that mighty of lords? I therefore the mood-care + In woe-wellings seethed; trow'd not in the wending + Of thee the lief man. A long while did I pray thee + That thou the death-guest there should greet not a whit; + Wouldst let those same South-Danes their own selves to settle + The war-tide with Grendel. Now to God say I thank + That thee, and thee sound, now may I see. + Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + All undark it is, O Hygelac lord, 2000 + That meeting the mighty, to a many of men; + Of what like was the meeting of Grendel and me + On that field of the deed, where he many a deal + For the Victory-Scyldings of sorrow had framed, + And misery for ever; but all that I awreaked, + So that needeth not boast any kinsman of Grendel + Any one upon earth of that uproar of dawn-dusk, + Nay not who lives longest of that kindred the loathly + Encompass'd of fenland. Thither first did I come + Unto that ring-hall Hrothgar to greet; 2010 + Soon unto me the great Healfdene's son, + So soon as my heart he was wotting forsooth. + Right against his own son a settle there showed. + All that throng was in joy, nor life-long saw I ever + Under vault of the heavens amidst any hall-sitters + More mirth of the mead. There the mighty Queen whiles, + Peace-sib of the folk, went all over the floor, + To the young sons bade heart up; oft she there the ring-wreath + Gave unto a man ere to settle she wended. + At whiles fore the doughty the daughter of Hrothgar 2020 + To the earls at the end the ale-bucket bore; + E'en she whom Freawaru the floor-sitters thereat + Heard I to name; where she the nail'd treasure + Gave to the warriors. She was behight then + Youngling and gold-dight to the glad son of Froda. + This hath seemed fair to the friend of the Scyldings, + The herd of the realm, and good rede he accounts it, + That he with that wife of death-feuds a deal + And of strifes should allay. Oft unseldom eachwhere + After a lord's fall e'en but for a little 2030 + Bows down the bane-spear, though doughty the bride be. + + + + + XXX. BEOWULF FOREBODES ILL FROM THE WEDDING OF FREAWARU: + HE TELLS OF GRENDEL AND HIS DAM. + + + Ill-liking this may be to the lord of the Heathobards, + And to each of the thanes of that same people. + When he with fair bride on the floor of hall wendeth, + That the Dane's noble bairn his doughty should wait on, + As on him glisten there the heirlooms of the aged, + Hard and with rings bedight, Heathobards' treasure, + Whileas the weapons yet they might wield; + Till astray did they lead there at the lind-play + Their own fellows belov'd and their very own lives. 2040 + For then saith at the beer, he who seeth the ring, + An ancient ash-warrior who mindeth of all + The spear-death of men; grim is he of mind; + Sad of mood he beginneth to tell the young champion. + Through the thought of his heart his mind there to try, + The war-bale to waken, and sayeth this word: + Mayest thou, friend mine, wot of the war-sword, + That which thy father bore in the fight + Under the war-mask e'en on the last time, + That the dear iron, whereas the Danes slew him, 2050 + Wielded the death-field, since Withergyld lay, + After fall of the heroes, the keen-hearted Scyldings? + Now here of those banesmen the son, whoseso he be, + All merry in fretwork forth on floor fareth; + Of the murder he boasteth, and that jewel he beareth, + E'en that which of right thou shouldest arede. + Thus he mindeth and maketh word every of times, + With sore words he telleth, until the time cometh + That the thane of the fair bride for the deeds of his father + After bite of the bill sleepeth all blood-stain'd, 2060 + All forfeit of life; but thenceforth the other + Escapeth alive; the land well he kenneth; + Then will be broken on both sides forsooth + The oath-swearing of earls, whenas unto Ingeld + Well up the death-hatreds, and the wife-loves of him + Because of the care-wellings cooler become. + Therefore the Heathobards' faith I account not, + Their deal of the folk-peace, unguileful to Danes, + Their fast-bounden friendship. Henceforth must I speak on + Again about Grendel, that thou get well to know it, 2070 + O treasure-out-dealer, how sithence betided + The hand-race of heroes: sithence heaven's gem + All over the grounds glided, came the wroth guest, + The dire night-angry one us to go look on, + Whereas we all sound were warding the hall. + There then for Handshoe was battle abiding, + Life-bale to the fey; he first lay alow, + The war-champion girded; unto him became Grendel, + To the great thane of kindreds, a banesman of mouth, + Of the man well-beloved the body he swallow'd; 2080 + Nor the sooner therefor out empty-handed + The bloody-tooth'd banesman, of bales all bemindful, + Out from that gold-hall yet would he get him; + But he, mighty of main, made trial of me, + And gripp'd ready-handed. His glove hung aloft, + Wondrous and wide, in wily bands fast, + With cunning wiles was it begeared forsooth, + With crafts of the devils and fells of the dragons; + He me withinwards there, me the unsinning, + The doer of big deeds would do me to be 2090 + As one of the many; but naught so it might be, + Sithence in mine anger upright I stood. + 'Tis over-long telling how I to the folkscather + For each one of evils out paid the hand-gild. + There I, O my lord king, them thy leal people + Worthy'd with works: but away he gat loosed + Out thence for a little while, brooked yet life-joys; + But his right hand held ward of his track howsoever, + High upon Hart-hall, and thence away humble + He sad of his mood to the mere-ground fell downward. 2100 + Me for that slaughter-race the friend of the Scyldings + With gold that beplated was mickle deal paid, + With a many of treasures, sithence came the morning, + And we to the feast-tide had sat us adown; + Song was and glee there; the elder of Scyldings, + Asking of many things, told of things o'erpast; + Whiles hath the battle-deer there the harp's joy, + The wood of mirth greeted; whiles the lay said he + Soothfast and sorrowful; whiles a spell seldom told + Told he by right, the king roomy-hearted; 2110 + Whiles began afterward he by eld bounden, + The aged hoar warrior, of his youth to bewail him, + Its might of the battle; his breast well'd within him, + When he, wont in winters, of many now minded. + So we there withinward the livelong day's wearing + Took pleasure amongst us, till came upon men + Another of nights; then eftsoons again + Was yare for the harm-wreak the mother of Grendel: + All sorry she wended, for her son death had taken, + The war-hate of the Weders: that monster of women 2120 + Awreaked her bairn, and quelled a warrior + In manner all mighty. Then was there from Aeschere, + The wise man of old, life waning away; + Nor him might they even when come was the morning, + That death-weary wight, the folk of the Danes + Burn up with the brand, nor lade on the bale + The man well-belov'd, for his body she bare off + In her fathom the fiendly all under the fell-stream. + That was unto Hrothgar of sorrows the heaviest + Of them which the folk-chieftain long had befallen. 2130 + Then me did the lord king, and e'en by thy life, + Mood-heavy beseech me that I in the holm-throng + Should do after earlship, my life to adventure, + And frame me main-greatness, and meed he behight me. + Then I of the welling flood, which is well kenned, + The grim and the grisly ground-herder did find. + There to us for a while was the blending of hands; + The holm welled with gore, and the head I becarved + In that hall of the ground from the Mother of Grendel + With the all-eked edges; unsoftly out thence 2140 + My life forth I ferry'd, for not yet was I fey. + But the earls' burg to me was giving thereafter + Much sort of the treasures, e'en Healfdene's son. + + + + + XXXI. BEOWULF GIVES HROTHGAR'S GIFTS TO HYGELAC, + AND BY HIM IS REWARDED. + OF THE DEATH OF HYGELAC AND OF HEARDRED HIS SON, + AND HOW BEOWULF IS KING OF THE GEATS: + THE WORM IS FIRST TOLD OF. + + + So therewith the folk-king far'd, living full seemly; + By those wages forsooth ne'er a whit had I lost, + By the meed of my main, but to me treasure gave he, + The Healfdene's son, to the doom of myself; + Which to thee, king of bold ones, will I be a-bringing, + And gladly will give thee; for of thee is all gotten + Of favours along, and but little have I 2150 + Of head-kinsmen forsooth, saving, Hygelac, thee. + Then he bade them bear in the boar-shape, the head-sign, + The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny all hoary, + The sword stately-good, and spell after he said: + This raiment of war Hrothgar gave to my hand, + The wise of the kings, and therewithal bade me, + That I first of all of his favour should flit thee; + He quoth that first had it King Heorogar of old, + The king of the Scyldings, a long while of time; + But no sooner would he give it unto his son, 2160 + Heoroward the well-whet, though kind to him were he, + This weed of the breast. Do thou brook it full well. + On these fretworks, so heard I, four horses therewith, + All alike, close followed after the track, + Steeds apple-fallow. Fair grace he gave him + Of horses and treasures. E'en thus shall do kinsman, + And nowise a wile-net shall weave for another + With craft of the darkness, or do unto death + His very hand-fellow. But now unto Hygelac + The bold in the battle was his nephew full faithful, 2170 + And either to other of good deeds was mindful. + I heard that the neck-ring to Hygd did he give, + E'en the wonder-gem well-wrought, that Wealh-theow gave him, + The king's daughter; gave he three steeds therewithal + Slender, and saddle-bright; sithence to her was, + After the ring-gift, the breast well beworthy'd. + Thus boldly he bore him, the Ecgtheow's bairn, + The groom kenned in battle, in good deeds a-doing; + After due doom he did, and ne'er slew he the drunken + Hearth-fellows of him: naught rough was his heart; 2180 + But of all men of mankind with the greatest of might + The gift fully and fast set, which had God to him given, + That war-deer did hold. Long was he contemned, + While the bairns of the Geats naught told him for good, + Nor him on the mead-bench worthy of mickle + The lord of the war-hosts would be a-making. + Weened they strongly that he were but slack then, + An atheling unkeen; then came about change + To the fame-happy man for every foul harm. + Bade then the earls' burg in to be bringing, 2190 + The king battle-famed, the leaving of Hrethel, + All geared with gold; was not 'mid the Geats then + A treasure-gem better of them of the sword-kind, + That which then on Beowulf's harm there he laid; + And gave to him there seven thousand in gift, + A built house and king-stool; to both them together + Was in that folkship land that was kindly, + Father-right, home; to the other one rather + A wide realm, to him who was there the better. + But thereafter it went so in days later worn 2200 + Through the din of the battle, sithence Hygelac lay low + And unto Heardred swords of the battle + Under the war-board were for a bane; + When fell on him midst of this victory-folk + The hard battle-wolves, the Scyldings of war, + And by war overwhelmed the nephew of Hereric; + That sithence unto Beowulf turned the broad realm + All into his hand. Well then did he hold it + For a fifty of winters; then was he an old king, + An old fatherland's warder; until one began 2210 + Through the dark of the night-tide, a drake, to hold sway. + In a howe high aloft watched over an hoard, + A stone-burg full steep; thereunder a path sty'd + Unknown unto men, and therewithin wended + Who of men do I know not; for his lust there took he, + From the hoard of the heathen his hand took away + A hall-bowl gem-flecked, nowise back did he give it + Though the herd of the hoard him sleeping beguil'd he + With thief-craft; and this then found out the king, + The best of folk-heroes, that wrath-bollen was he. 2220 + + + + + XXXII. HOW THE WORM CAME TO THE HOWE, + AND HOW HE WAS ROBBED OF A CUP; + AND HOW HE FELL ON THE FOLK. + + + Not at all with self-wielding the craft of the worm-hoards + He sought of his own will, who sore himself harmed; + But for threat of oppression a thrall, of I wot not + Which bairn of mankind, from blows wrathful fled, + House-needy forsooth, and hied him therein, + A man by guilt troubled. Then soon it betided + That therein to the guest there stood grisly terror; + However the wretched, of every hope waning + * * * * * + The ill-shapen wight, whenas the fear gat him, + The treasure-vat saw; of such there was a many 2230 + Up in that earth-house of treasures of old, + As them in the yore-days, though what man I know not, + The huge leavings and loom of a kindred of high ones, + Well thinking of thoughts there had hidden away. + Dear treasures. But all them had death borne away + In the times of erewhile; and the one at the last + Of the doughty of that folk that there longest lived, + There waxed he friend-sad, yet ween'd he to tarry, + That he for a little those treasures the longsome + Might brook for himself. But a burg now all ready 2240 + Wonn'd on the plain nigh the waves of the water, + New by a ness, by narrow-crafts fasten'd; + Within there then bare of the treasures of earls + That herd of the rings a deal hard to carry, + Of gold fair beplated, and few words he quoth: + Hold thou, O earth, now, since heroes may hold not, + The owning of earls. What! it erst within thee + Good men did get to them; now war-death hath gotten, + Life-bale the fearful, each man and every + Of my folk; e'en of them who forwent the life: 2250 + The hall-joy had they seen. No man to wear sword + I own, none to brighten the beaker beplated, + The dear drink-vat; the doughty have sought to else-whither. + Now shall the hard war-helm bedight with the gold + Be bereft of its plating; its polishers sleep, + They that the battle-mask erewhile should burnish: + Likewise the war-byrny, which abode in the battle + O'er break of the war-boards the bite of the irons, + Crumbles after the warrior; nor may the ring'd byrny + After the war-leader fare wide afield 2260 + On behalf of the heroes: nor joy of the harp is, + No game of the glee-wood; no goodly hawk now + Through the hall swingeth; no more the swift horse + Beateth the burg-stead. Now hath bale-quelling + A many of life-kin forth away sent. + Suchwise sad-moody moaned in sorrow + One after all, unblithely bemoaning + By day and by night, till the welling of death + Touch'd at his heart. The old twilight-scather + Found the hoard's joyance standing all open, 2270 + E'en he that, burning, seeketh to burgs, + The evil drake, naked, that flieth a night-tide, + With fire encompass'd; of him the earth-dwellers + Are strongly adrad; wont is he to seek to + The hoard in the earth, where he the gold heathen + Winter-old wardeth; nor a whit him it betters. + So then the folk-scather for three hundred winters + Held in the earth a one of hoard-houses + All-eked of craft, until him there anger'd + A man in his mood, who bare to his man-lord 2280 + A beaker beplated, and bade him peace-warding + Of his lord: then was lightly the hoard searched over, + And the ring-hoard off borne; and the boon it was granted + To that wretched-wrought man. There then the lord saw + That work of men foregone the first time of times. + Then awaken'd the Worm, and anew the strife was; + Along the stone stank he, the stout-hearted found + The foot-track of the foe; he had stept forth o'er-far + With dark craft, over-nigh to the head of the drake. + So may the man unfey full easily outlive 2290 + The woe and the wrack-journey, he whom the Wielder's + Own grace is holding. Now sought the hoard-warden + Eager over the ground; for the groom he would find + Who unto him sleeping had wrought out the sore: + Hot and rough-moody oft he turn'd round the howe + All on the outward; but never was any man + On the waste; but however in war he rejoiced, + In battle-work. Whiles he turn'd back to his howe + And sought to his treasure-vat; soon he found this, + That one of the grooms had proven the gold, 2300 + The high treasures; then the hoard-warden abided, + But hardly forsooth, until come was the even, + And all anger-bollen was then the burg-warden, + And full much would the loath one with the fire-flame pay back + For his drink-vat the dear. Then day was departed + E'en at will to the Worm, and within wall no longer + Would he bide, but awayward with burning he fared, + All dight with the fire: it was fearful beginning + To the folk in the land, and all swiftly it fell 2310 + On their giver of treasure full grievously ended. + + + + + XXXIII. THE WORM BURNS BEOWULF'S HOUSE, + AND BEOWULF GETS READY TO GO AGAINST HIM. + BEOWULF'S EARLY DEEDS IN BATTLE WITH THE HETWARE TOLD OF. + + + Began then the guest to spew forth of gleeds, + The bright dwellings to burn; stood the beam of the burning + For a mischief to menfolk; now nothing that quick was + The loathly lift-flier would leave there forsooth; + The war of the Worm was wide to be seen there, + The narrowing foe's hatred anigh and afar, + How he, the fight-scather, the folk of the Geats + Hated and harm'd; shot he back to the hoard, + His dark lordly hall, ere yet was the day's while; + The land-dwellers had he in the light low encompass'd 2320 + With bale and with brand; in his burg yet he trusted, + His war-might and his wall: but his weening bewray'd him. + Then Beowulf was done to wit of the terror + Full swiftly forsooth, that the house of himself, + Best of buildings, was molten in wellings of fire, + The gift-stool of the Geats. To the good one was that + A grief unto heart; of mind-sorrows the greatest. + Weened the wise one, that Him, e'en the Wielder, + The Lord everlasting, against the old rights + He had bitterly anger'd; the breast boil'd within him 2330 + With dark thoughts, that to him were naught duly wonted. + Now had the fire-drake the own fastness of folk, + The water-land outward, that ward of the earth, + With gleeds to ground wasted; so therefore the war-king, + The lord of the Weder-folk, learned him vengeance. + Then he bade be work'd for him, that fence of the warriors, + And that all of iron, the lord of the earls, + A war-board all glorious, for wissed he yarely + That the holt-wood hereto might help him no whit, + The linden 'gainst fire-flame. Of fleeting days now 2340 + The Atheling exceeding good end should abide, + The end of the world's life, and the Worm with him also, + Though long he had holden the weal of the hoard. + Forsooth scorned then the lord of the rings + That he that wide-flier with war-band should seek, + With a wide host; he fear'd not that war for himself, + Nor for himself the Worm's war accounted one whit, + His might and his valour, for that he erst a many + Strait-daring of battles had bided, and liv'd, + Clashings huge of the battle, sithence he of Hrothgar, 2350 + He, the man victory-happy, had cleansed the hall, + And in war-tide had gripped the kindred of Grendel, + The loathly of kindreds; nor was that the least + Of hand-meetings, wherein erst was Hygelac slain, + Sithence the Geats' king in the onrush of battle, + The lord-friend of the folks, down away in the Frieslands, + The offspring of Hrethel, died, drunken of sword-drinks, + All beaten of bill. Thence Beowulf came forth + By his own craft forsooth, dreed the work of the swimming; + He had on his arm, he all alone, thirty 2360 + Of war-gears, when he to the holm went adown. + Then nowise the Hetware needed to joy them + Over the foot-war, wherein forth against him + They bore the war-linden: few went back again + From that wolf of the battle to wend to their homes. + O'erswam then the waters' round Ecgtheow's son, + Came all wretched and byrd-alone back to his people, + Whereas offer'd him Hygd then the kingdom and hoard, + The rings and the king-stool: trowed naught in the child, + That he 'gainst folks outland the fatherland-seats 2370 + Might can how to hold, now was Hygelac dead: + Yet no sooner therefor might the poor folk prevail + To gain from the Atheling in any of ways + That he unto Heardred would be for a lord, + Or eke that that kingdom henceforward should choose; + Yet him midst of the folk with friend-lore he held, + All kindly with honour till older he waxed + And wielded the Weder-Geats. To him men-waifs thereafter + Sought from over the sea, the sons they of Ohthere, + For they erst had withstood the helm of the Scylfings, 2380 + E'en him that was best of the kings of the sea, + Of them that in Swede-realm dealt out the treasure, + The mighty of princes. Unto him 'twas a life-mark; + To him without food there was fated the life-wound, + That Hygelac's son, by the swinging of swords; + And him back departed Ongentheow's bairn, + To go seek to his house, sithence Heardred lay dead, + And let Beowulf hold the high seat of the king + And wield there the Geats. Yea, good was that king. + + + + + XXXIV. BEOWULF GOES AGAINST THE WORM. + HE TELLS OF HEREBEALD AND HĘTHCYN. + + + Of that fall of the folk-king he minded the payment 2390 + In days that came after: unto Eadgils he was + A friend to him wretched; with folk he upheld him + Over the wide sea, that same son of Ohthere, + With warriors and weapons. Sithence had he wreaking + With cold journeys of care: from the king took he life. + Now each one of hates thus had he outlived, + And of perilous slaughters, that Ecgtheow's son, + All works that be doughty, until that one day + When he with the Worm should wend him to deal. + So twelvesome he set forth all swollen with anger, 2400 + The lord of the Geats, the drake to go look on. + Aright had he learnt then whence risen the feud was, + The bale-hate against men-folk: to his barm then had come + The treasure-vat famous by the hand of the finder; + He was in that troop of men the thirteenth + Who the first of that battle had set upon foot, + The thrall, the sad-minded; in shame must he thenceforth + Wise the way to the plain; and against his will went he + Thereunto, where the earth-hall the one there he wist, + The howe under earth anigh the holm's welling, 2410 + The wave-strife: there was it now full all within + With gems and with wires; the monster, the warden, + The yare war-wolf, he held him therein the hoard golden, + The old under the earth: it was no easy cheaping + To go and to gain for any of grooms. + Sat then on the ness there the strife-hardy king + While farewell he bade to his fellows of hearth, + The gold-friend of the Geats; sad was gotten his soul, + Wavering, death-minded; weird nigh beyond measure, + Which him old of years gotten now needs must be greeting, 2420 + Must seek his soul's hoard and asunder must deal + His life from his body: no long while now was + The life of the Atheling in flesh all bewounden. + Now spake out Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + Many a one in my youth of war-onsets I outliv'd, + And the whiles of the battle: all that I remember. + Seven winters had I when the wielder of treasures, + The lord-friend of folk, from my father me took, + Held me and had me Hrethel the king, + Gave me treasure and feast, and remember'd the friendship. 2430 + For life thence I was not to him a whit loather, + A berne in his burgs than his bairns were, or each one, + Herebeald, or Hęthcyn, or Hygelac mine. + For the eldest there was in unseemly wise + By the mere deed of kinsman a murder-bed strawen, + Whenas him did Hęthcyn from out of his horn-bow, + His lord and his friend, with shaft lay alow: + His mark he miss'd shooting, and shot down his kinsman, + One brother another with shaft all bebloody'd; + That was fight feeless by fearful crime sinned, 2440 + Soul-weary to heart, yet natheless then had + The atheling from life all unwreak'd to be ceasing. + So sad-like it is for a carle that is aged + To be biding the while that his boy shall be riding + Yet young on the gallows; then a lay should he utter, + A sorrowful song whenas hangeth his son + A gain unto ravens, and naught good of avail + May he, old and exceeding old, anywise frame. + Ever will he be minded on every each morning + Of his son's faring otherwhere; nothing he heedeth 2450 + Of abiding another withinward his burgs, + An heritage-warder, then whenas the one + By the very death's need hath found out the ill. + Sorrow-careful he seeth within his son's bower + The waste wine-hall, the resting-place now of the winds, + All bereft of the revel; the riders are sleeping, + The heroes in grave, and no voice of the harp is, + No game in the garths such as erewhile was gotten. + + + + + XXXV. BEOWULF TELLS OF PAST FEUDS, + AND BIDS FAREWELL TO HIS FELLOWS: + HE FALLS ON THE WORM, AND THE BATTLE OF THEM BEGINS. + + + Then to sleeping-stead wendeth he, singeth he sorrow, + The one for the other; o'er-roomy all seem'd him 2460 + The meads and the wick-stead. So the helm of the Weders + For Herebeald's sake the sorrow of heart + All welling yet bore, and in nowise might he + On the banesman of that life the feud be a-booting; + Nor ever the sooner that warrior might hate + With deeds loathly, though he to him nothing was lief. + He then with the sorrow wherewith that sore beset him + Man's joy-tide gave up, and chose him God's light. + To his offspring he left, e'en as wealthy man doeth, + His land and his folk-burgs when he from life wended. 2470 + Then sin was and striving of Swedes and of Geats, + Over the wide water war-tide in common, + The hard horde-hate to wit sithence Hrethel perish'd; + And to them ever were the Ongentheow's sons + Doughty and host-whetting, nowise then would friendship + Hold over the waters; but round about Hreosnaburgh + The fierce fray of foeman was oftentimes fram'd. + Kin of friends that mine were, there they awreaked + The feud and the evil deed, e'en as was famed; + Although he, the other, with his own life he bought it, 2480 + A cheaping full hard: unto Hęthcyn it was, + To the lord of the Geat-folk, a life-fateful war. + Learned I that the morrow one brother the other + With the bills' edges wreaked the death on the banesman, + Whereas Ongentheow is a-seeking of Eofor: + Glode the war-helm asunder, the aged of Scylfings + Fell, sword-bleak; e'en so remember'd the hand + Feud enough; nor e'en then did the life-stroke withhold. + I to him for the treasure which erewhile he gave me + Repaid it in warring, as was to me granted, 2490 + With my light-gleaming sword. To me gave he land, + The hearth and the home-bliss: unto him was no need + That unto the Gifthas or unto the Spear-Danes + Or into the Swede-realm he needs must go seeking + A worse wolf of war for a worth to be cheaping; + For in the host ever would I be before him + Alone in the fore-front, and so life-long shall I + Be a-framing of strife, whileas tholeth the sword, + Which early and late hath bestead me full often, + Sithence was I by doughtiness unto Day-raven 2500 + The hand-bane erst waxen, to the champion of Hug-folk; + He nowise the fretwork to the king of the Frisians, + The breast-worship to wit, might bring any more, + But cringed in battle that herd of the banner, + The Atheling in might: the edge naught was his bane, + But for him did the war-grip the heart-wellings of him + Break, the house of the bones. Now shall the bill's edge, + The hand and hard sword, about the hoard battle. + So word uttered Beowulf, spake out the boast word + For the last while as now: Many wars dared I 2510 + In the days of my youth, and now will I yet, + The old warder of folk, seek to the feud, + Full gloriously frame, if the scather of foul-deed + From the hall of the earth me out shall be seeking. + Greeted he then each one of the grooms, + The keen wearers of helms, for the last while of whiles, + His own fellows the dear: No sword would I fare with, + No weapon against the Worm, wist I but how + 'Gainst the monster of evil in otherwise might I + Uphold me my boast, as erst did I with Grendel; 2520 + But there fire of the war-tide full hot do I ween me, + And the breath, and the venom; I shall bear on me therefore + Both the board and the byrny; nor the burg's warden shall I + Overflee for a foot's-breadth, but unto us twain + It shall be at the wall as to us twain Weird willeth, + The Maker of each man. Of mood am I eager; + So that 'gainst that war-flier from boast I withhold me. + Abide ye upon burg with your byrnies bewarded, + Ye men in your battle-gear, which may the better + After the slaughter-race save us from wounding 2530 + Of the twain of us. Naught is it yours to take over, + Nor the measure of any man save alone me, + That he on the monster should mete out his might, + Or work out the earlship: but I with my main might + Shall gain me the gold, or else gets me the battle, + The perilous life-bale, e'en me your own lord. + Arose then by war-round the warrior renowned + Hard under helm, and the sword-sark he bare + Under the stone-cliffs: in the strength then he trowed + Of one man alone; no dastard's way such is. 2540 + Then he saw by the wall (e'en he, who so many, + The good of man-bounties, of battles had out-liv'd, + Of crashes of battle whenas hosts were blended) + A stone-bow a-standing, and from out thence a stream + Breaking forth from the burg; was that burn's outwelling + All hot with the war-fire; and none nigh to the hoard then + Might ever unburning any while bide, + Live out through the deep for the flame of the drake. + Out then from his breast, for as bollen as was he, + Let the Weder-Geats' chief the words be out faring; 2550 + The stout-hearted storm'd and the stave of him enter'd + Battle-bright sounding in under the hoar stone. + Then uproused was hate, and the hoard-warden wotted + The speech of man's word, and no more while there was + Friendship to fetch. Then forth came there first + The breath of the evil beast out from the stone, + The hot sweat of battle, and dinn'd then the earth. + The warrior beneath the burg swung up his war-round + Against that grisly guest, the lord of the Geats; + Then the heart of the ring-bow'd grew eager therewith 2560 + To seek to the strife. His sword ere had he drawn, + That good lord of the battle, the leaving of old, + The undull of edges: there was unto either + Of the bale-minded ones the fear of the other. + All steadfast of mind stood against his steep shield + The lord of the friends, when the Worm was a-bowing + Together all swiftly, in war-gear he bided; + Then boune was the burning one, bow'd in his going, + To the fate of him faring. The shield was well warding + The life and the lyke of the mighty lord king 2570 + For a lesser of whiles than his will would have had it, + If he at that frist on the first of the day + Was to wield him, as weird for him never will'd it, + The high-day of battle. His hand he up braided, + The lord of the Geats, and the grisly-fleck'd smote he + With the leaving of Ing, in such wise that the edge fail'd, + The brown blade on the bone, and less mightily bit + Than the king of the nation had need in that stour, + With troubles beset. But then the burg-warden + After the war-swing all wood of his mood 2580 + Cast forth the slaughter-flame, sprung thereon widely + The battle-gleams: nowise of victory he boasted, + The gold-friend of the Geats; his war-bill had falter'd, + All naked in war, in such wise as it should not, + The iron exceeding good. Naught was it easy + For him there, the mighty-great offspring of Ecgtheow, + That he now that earth-plain should give up for ever; + But against his will needs must he dwell in the wick + Of the otherwhere country; as ever must each man + Let go of his loan-days. Not long was it thenceforth 2590 + Ere the fell ones of fight fell together again. + The hoard-warden up-hearten'd him, welled his breast + With breathing anew. Then narrow need bore he, + Encompass'd with fire, who erst the folk wielded; + Nowise in a heap his hand-fellows there, + The bairns of the athelings, stood all about him + In valour of battle; but they to holt bow'd them; + Their dear life they warded; but in one of them welled + His soul with all sorrow. So sib-ship may never + Turn aside any whit to the one that well thinketh. 2600 + + + + + XXXVI. WIGLAF SON OF WEOHSTAN + GOES TO THE HELP OF BEOWULF: + NĘGLING, BEOWULF'S SWORD, IS BROKEN ON THE WORM. + + + Wiglaf so hight he, the son of Weohstan, + Lief linden-warrior, and lord of Scylfings, + The kinsman of Aelfhere: and he saw his man-lord + Under his host-mask tholing the heat; + He had mind of the honour that to him gave he erewhile. + The wick-stead the wealthy of them, the Węgmundings, + And the folk-rights each one which his father had owned. + Then he might not withhold him, his hand gripp'd the round, + Yellow linden; he tugg'd out withal the old sword, + That was known among men for the heirloom of Eanmund, 2610 + Ohthere's son, unto whom in the strife did become, + To the exile unfriended, Weohstan for the bane + With the sword-edge, and unto his kinsmen bare off + The helm the brown-brindled, the byrny beringed, + And the old eoten-sword that erst Onela gave him; + Were they his kinsman's weed of the war, + Host-fight-gear all ready. Of the feud nothing spake he. + Though he of his brother the bairn had o'er-thrown. + But the host-gear befretted he held many seasons, + The bill and the byrny, until his own boy might 2620 + Do him the earlship as did his ere-father. + Amidst of the Geats then he gave him the war-weed + Of all kinds unnumber'd, whenas he from life wended + Old on the forth-way. Then was the first time + For that champion the young that he the war-race + With his high lord the famed e'er he should frame: + Naught melted his mood, naught the loom of his kinsman + Weaken'd in war-tide; that found out the Worm + When they two together had gotten to come. + Now spake out Wiglaf many words rightwise, 2630 + And said to his fellows: all sad was his soul: + I remember that while when we gat us the mead, + And whenas we behight to the high lord of us + In the beer-hall, e'en he who gave us these rings, + That we for the war-gear one while would pay, + If unto him thislike need e'er should befall, + For these helms and hard swords. So he chose us from host + To this faring of war by his very own will, + Of glories he minded us, and gave me these gems here, + Whereas us of gar-warriors he counted for good, 2640 + And bold bearers of helms. Though our lord e'en for us + This work of all might was of mind all alone + Himself to be framing, the herd of the folk, + Whereas most of all men he hath mightiness framed. + Of deeds of all daring, yet now is the day come + Whereon to our man-lord behoveth the main + Of good battle-warriors; so thereunto wend we, + And help we the host-chief, whiles that the heat be, + The gleed-terror grim. Now of me wotteth God + That to me is much liefer that that, my lyke-body, 2650 + With my giver of gold the gleed should engrip. + Unmeet it methinketh that we shields should bear + Back unto our own home, unless we may erst + The foe fell adown and the life-days defend + Of the king of the Weders. Well wot I hereof + That his old deserts naught such were, that he only + Of all doughty of Geats the grief should be bearing. + Sink at strife. Unto us shall one sword be, one helm, + One byrny and shield, to both of us common. + Through the slaughter-reek waded he then, bare his war-helm 2660 + To the finding his lord, and few words he quoth: + O Beowulf the dear, now do thee all well, + As thou in thy youthful life quothest of yore, + That naught wouldst thou let, while still thou wert living, + Thy glory fade out. Now shalt thou of deeds famed, + The atheling of single heart, with all thy main deal + For the warding thy life, and to stay thee I will. + Then after these words all wroth came the Worm, + The dire guest foesome, that second of whiles + With fire-wellings flecked, his foes to go look on, 2670 + The loath men. With flame was lightly then burnt up + The board to the boss, and might not the byrny + To the warrior the young frame any help yet. + But so the young man under shield of his kinsman + Went onward with valour, whenas his own was + All undone with gleeds; then again the war-king + Remember'd his glories, and smote with mainmight + With his battle-bill, so that it stood in the head + Need-driven by war-hate. Then asunder burst Nęgling, + Waxed weak in the war-tide, e'en Beowulf's sword, 2680 + The old and grey-marked; to him was not given + That to him any whit might the edges of irons + Be helpful in battle; over-strong was the hand + Which every of swords, by the hearsay of me, + With its swing over-wrought, when he bare unto strife + A wondrous hard weapon; naught it was to him better. + Then was the folk-scather for the third of times yet, + The fierce fire-drake, all mindful of feud; + He rac'd on that strong one, when was room to him given, + Hot and battle-grim; he all the halse of him gripped 2690 + With bitter-keen bones; all bebloody'd he waxed + With the gore of his soul. Well'd in waves then the war-sweat. + + + + + XXXVII. THEY TWO SLAY THE WORM. + BEOWULF IS WOUNDED DEADLY: + HE BIDDETH WIGLAF BEAR OUT THE TREASURE. + + + Then heard I that at need of the high king of folk + The upright earl made well manifest might, + His craft and his keenness as kind was to him; + The head there he heeded not (but the hand burned + Of that man of high mood when he helped his kinsman), + Whereas he now the hate-guest smote yet a deal nether, + That warrior in war-gear, whereby the sword dived, + The plated, of fair hue, and thereby fell the flame 2700 + To minish thereafter, and once more the king's self + Wielded his wit, and his slaying-sax drew out, + The bitter and battle-sharp, borne on his byrny; + Asunder the Weder's helm smote the Worm midmost; + They felled the fiend, and force drave the life out, + And they twain together had gotten him ending, + Those athelings sib. E'en such should a man be, + A thane good at need. Now that to the king was + The last victory-while, by the deeds of himself, + Of his work of the world. Sithence fell the wound, 2710 + That the earth-drake to him had wrought but erewhile. + To swell and to sweal; and this soon he found out, + That down in the breast of him bale-evil welled, + The venom withinward; then the Atheling wended, + So that he by the wall, bethinking him wisdom. + Sat on seat there and saw on the works of the giants, + How that the stone-bows fast stood on pillars, + The earth-house everlasting upheld withinward. + Then with his hand him the sword-gory, + That great king his thane, the good beyond measure, 2720 + His friend-lord with water washed full well, + The sated of battle, and unspanned his war-helm. + Forth then spake Beowulf, and over his wound said, + His wound piteous deadly; wist he full well, + That now of his day-whiles all had he dreed, + Of the joy of the earth; all was shaken asunder + The tale of his days; death without measure nigh: + Unto my son now should I be giving + My gear of the battle, if to me it were granted + Any ward of the heritage after my days 2730 + To my body belonging. This folk have I holden + Fifty winters; forsooth was never a folk-king + Of the sitters around, no one of them soothly, + Who me with the war-friends durst wend him to greet + And bear down with the terror. In home have I abided + The shapings of whiles, and held mine own well. + No wily hates sought I; for myself swore not many + Of oaths in unright. For all this may I, + Sick with the life-wounds, soothly have joy. + Therefore naught need wyte me the Wielder of men 2740 + With kin murder-bale, when breaketh asunder + My life from my lyke. And now lightly go thou + To look on the hoard under the hoar stone, + Wiglaf mine lief, now that lieth the Worm + And sleepeth sore wounded, beshorn of his treasure; + And be hasty that I now the wealth of old time, + The gold-having may look on, and yarely behold + The bright cunning gems, that the softlier may I + After the treasure-weal let go away + My life, and the folk-ship that long I have held. 2750 + + + + + XXXVIII. BEOWULF BEHOLDETH THE TREASURE AND PASSETH AWAY. + + + Then heard I that swiftly the son of that Weohstan + After this word-say his lord the sore wounded, + Battle-sick, there obeyed, and bare forth his ring-net, + His battle-sark woven, in under the burg-roof; + Saw then victory-glad as by the seat went he, + The kindred-thane moody, sun-jewels a many, + Much glistering gold lying down on the ground, + Many wonders on wall, and the den of the Worm, + The old twilight-flier; there were flagons a-standing, + The vats of men bygone, of brighteners bereft, 2760 + And maim'd of adornment; was many an helm + Rusty and old, and of arm-rings a many + Full cunningly twined. All lightly may treasure, + The gold in the ground, every one of mankind + Befool with o'erweening, hide it who will. + Likewise he saw standing a sign there all-golden + High over the hoard, the most of hand-wonders, + With limb-craft belocked, whence light a ray gleamed. + Whereby the den's ground-plain gat he to look on, + The fair works scan throughly. Not of the Worm there 2770 + Was aught to be seen now, but the edge had undone him. + Heard I then that in howe of the hoard was bereaving, + The old work of the giants, but one man alone, + Into his barm laded beakers and dishes + At his very own doom; and the sign eke he took, + The brightest of beacons. But the bill of the old lord + (The edge was of iron) erewhile it scathed + Him who of that treasure hand-bearer was + A long while, and fared a-bearing the flame-dread + Before the hoard hot, and welling of fierceness 2780 + In the midnights, until that by murder he died. + In haste was the messenger, eager of back-fare, + Further'd with fretted gems. Him longing fordid + To wot whether the bold man he quick there shall meet + In that mead-stead, e'en he the king of the Weders, + All sick of his might, whereas he erst Itft him. + He fetching the treasure then found the king mighty, + His own lord, yet there, and him ever all gory + At end of his life; and he yet once again + Fell the water to warp o'er him, till the word's point 2790 + Brake through the breast-hoard, and Beowulf spake out. + The aged, in grief as he gaz'd on the gold: + Now I for these fretworks to the Lord of all thanking, + To the King of all glory, in words am yet saying, + To the Lord ever living, for that which I look on; + Whereas such I might for the people of mine, + Ere ever my death-day, get me to own. + Now that for the treasure-hoard here have I sold + My life and laid down the same, frame still then ever + The folk-need, for here never longer I may be. 2800 + So bid ye the war-mighty work me a howe + Bright after the bale-fire at the sea's nose, + Which for a remembrance to the people of me + Aloft shall uplift him at Whale-ness for ever, + That it the sea-goers sithence may hote + Beowulf's Howe, e'en they that the high-ships + Over the flood-mists drive from afar. + Did off from his halse then a ring was all golden, + The king the great-hearted, and gave to his thane, + To the spear-warrior young his war-helm gold-brindled, 2810 + The ring and the byrny, and bade him well brook them: + Thou art the end-leaving of all of our kindred, + The Węgmundings; Weird now hath swept all away + Of my kinsmen, and unto the doom of the Maker + The earls in their might; now after them shall I. + That was to the aged lord youngest of words + Of his breast-thoughts, ere ever he chose him the bale, + The hot battle-wellings; from his heart now departed + His soul, to seek out the doom of the soothfast. + + + + + XXXIX. WIGLAF CASTETH SHAME ON THOSE FLEERS. + + + But gone was it then with the unaged man 2820 + Full hard that there he beheld on the earth + The liefest of friends at the ending of life, + Of bearing most piteous. And likewise lay his bane + The Earth-drake, the loathly fear, reft of his life, + By bale laid undone: the ring-hoards no longer + The Worm, the crook-bowed, ever might wield; + For soothly the edges of the irons him bare off, + The hard battle-sharded leavings of hammers, + So that the wide-flier stilled with wounding + Fell onto earth anigh to his hoard-hall, 2830 + Nor along the lift ever more playing he turned + At middle-nights, proud of the owning of treasure, + Show'd the face of him forth, but to earth there he fell + Because of the host-leader's work of the hand. + This forsooth on the land hath thriven to few, + Of men might and main bearing, by hearsay of mine, + Though in each of all deeds full daring he were, + That against venom-scather's fell breathing he set on, + Or the hall of his rings with hand be a-stirring, + If so be that he waking the warder had found 2840 + Abiding in burg. By Beowulf was + His deal of the king-treasure paid for by death; + There either had they fared on to the end + Of this loaned life. Long it was not until + Those laggards of battle the holt were a-leaving, + Unwarlike troth-liars, the ten there together, + Who durst not e'en now with darts to be playing + E'en in their man-lord's most mickle need. + But shamefully now their shields were they bearing, + Their weed of the battle, there where lay the aged; 2850 + They gazed on Wiglaf where weary'd he sat, + The foot-champion, hard by his very lord's shoulder, + And wak'd him with water: but no whit it sped him; + Never might he on earth howsoe'er well he will'd it + In that leader of spears hold the life any more, + Nor the will of the Wielder change ever a whit; + But still should God's doom of deeds rule the rede + For each man of men, as yet ever it doth. + Then from out of the youngling an answer full grim + Easy got was for him who had lost heart erewhile, 2860 + And word gave out Wiglaf, Weohstan's son + The sorrowful-soul'd man: on those unlief he saw: + Lo that may he say who sooth would be saying, + That the man-lord who dealt you the gift of those dear things, + The gear of the war-host wherein there ye stand, + Whereas he on the ale-bench full oft was a-giving + Unto the hall-sitters war-helm and byrny, + The king to his thanes, e'en such as he choicest + Anywhere, far or near, ever might find: + That he utterly wrongsome those weeds of the war 2870 + Had cast away, then when the war overtook him. + Surely never the folk-king of his fellows in battle + Had need to be boastful; howsoever God gave him, + The Victory-wielder, that he himself wreaked him + Alone with the edge, when to him need of might was. + Unto him of life-warding but little might I + Give there in the war-tide; and yet I began + Above measure of my might my kinsman to help; + Ever worse was the Worm then when I with sword + Smote the life-foe, and ever the fire less strongly 2880 + Welled out from his wit. Of warders o'er little + Throng'd about the king when him the battle befell. + Now shall taking of treasures and giving of swords + And all joy of your country-home fail from your kindred, + All hope wane away; of the land-right moreover + May each of the men of that kinsman's burg ever + Roam lacking; sithence that the athelings eft-soons + From afar shall have heard of your faring in flight, + Your gloryless deed. Yea, death shall be better + For each of the earls than a life ever ill-fam'd. 2890 + + + + + XL. WIGLAF SENDETH TIDING TO THE HOST: THE WORDS OF THE MESSENGER. + + + Then he bade them that war-work give out at the barriers + Up over the sea-cliff, whereas then the earl-host + The morning-long day sat sad of their mood, + The bearers of war-boards, in weening of both things, + Either the end-day, or else the back-coming + Of the lief man. Forsooth he little was silent + Of the new-fallen tidings who over the ness rode, + But soothly he said over all there a-sitting: + Now is the will-giver of the folk of the Weders, + The lord of the Geats, fast laid in the death-bed, 2900 + In the slaughter-rest wonneth he by the Worm's doings. + And beside him yet lieth his very life-winner + All sick with the sax-wounds; with sword might he never + On the monster, the fell one, in any of manners + Work wounding at all. There yet sitteth Wiglaf, + Weohstan's own boy, over Beowulf king, + One earl over the other, over him the unliving; + With heart-honours holdeth he head-ward withal + Over lief, over loath. But to folk is a weening + Of war-tide as now, so soon as unhidden 2910 + To Franks and to Frisians the fall of the king + Is become over widely. Once was the strife shapen + Hard 'gainst the Hugs, sithence Hygelac came + Faring with float-host to Frisian land, + Whereas him the Hetware vanquish'd in war, + With might gat the gain, with o'er-mickle main; + The warrior bebyrny'd he needs must bow down: + He fell in the host, and no fretted war-gear + Gave that lord to the doughty, but to us was aye sithence + The mercy ungranted that was of the Merwing. 2920 + Nor do I from the Swede folk of peace or good faith + Ween ever a whit. For widely 'twas wotted + That Ongentheow erst had undone the life + Of Hęthcyn the Hrethel's son hard by the Raven-wood, + Then when in their pride the Scylfings of war + Erst gat them to seek to the folk of the Geats. + Unto him soon the old one, the father of Ohthere, + The ancient and fearful gave back the hand-stroke, + Brake up the sea-wise one, rescued his bride. + The aged his spouse erst, bereft of the gold, 2930 + Mother of Onela, yea and of Ohthere; + And follow'd up thereon his foemen the deadly, + Until they betook them and sorrowfully therewith + Unto the Raven-holt, reft of their lord. + With huge host then beset he the leaving of swords + All weary with wounds, and woe he behight them, + That lot of the wretched, the livelong night through; + Quoth he that the morrow's morn with the swords' edges + He would do them to death, hang some on the gallows + For a game unto fowl. But again befell comfort 2940 + To the sorry of mood with the morrow-day early; + Whereas they of Hygelac's war-horn and trumpet + The voice wotted, whenas the good king his ways came + Faring on in the track of his folk's doughty men. + + + + + XLI. MORE WORDS OF THE MESSENGER. + HOW HE FEARS THE SWEDES WHEN THEY WOT OF BEOWULF DEAD. + + + Was the track of the war-sweat of Swedes and of Geats, + The men's slaughter-race, right wide to be seen, + How those folks amongst them were waking the feud. + Departed that good one, and went with his fellows, + Old and exceeding sad, fastness to seek; + The earl Ongentheow upward returned; 2950 + Of Hygelac's battle-might oft had he heard, + The war-craft of the proud one; in withstanding he trow'd not, + That he to the sea-folk in fight might debate, + Or against the sea-farers defend him his hoard, + His bairns and his bride. He bow'd him aback thence, + The old under the earth-wall. Then was the chase bidden + To the Swede-folk, and Hygelac's sign was upreared, + And the plain of the peace forth on o'er-pass'd they, + After the Hrethlings onto the hedge throng'd. + There then was Ongentheow by the swords' edges, 2960 + The blent-hair'd, the hoary one, driven to biding, + So that the folk-king fain must he take + Sole doom of Eofor. Him in his wrath then + Wulf the Wonreding reach'd with his weapon, + So that from the stroke sprang the war-sweat in streams + Forth from under his hair; yet naught fearsome was he, + The aged, the Scylfing, but paid aback rathely + With chaffer that worse was that war-crash of slaughter, + Sithence the folk-king turned him thither; + And nowise might the brisk one that son was of Wonred 2970 + Unto the old carle give back the hand-slaying, + For that he on Wulf's head the helm erst had sheared, + So that all with the blood stained needs must he bow, + And fell on the field; but not yet was he fey, + But he warp'd himself up, though the wound had touch'd nigh. + But thereon the hard Hygelac's thane there, + Whenas down lay his brother, let the broad blade, + The old sword of eotens, that helm giant-fashion'd + Break over the board-wall, and down the king bowed, + The herd of the folk unto fair life was smitten. 2980 + There were many about there who bound up his kinsman, + Upraised him swiftly when room there was made them, + That the slaughter-stead there at the stour they might wield, + That while when was reaving one warrior the other: + From Ongentheow took he the iron-wrought byrny, + The hard-hilted sword, with his helm all together: + The hoary one's harness to Hygelac bare he; + The fret war-gear then took he, and fairly behight him + Before the folk due gifts, and even so did it; + Gild he gave for that war-race, the lord of the Geats, 2990 + The own son of Hrethel, when home was he come, + To Eofor and Wulf gave he over-much treasure, + To them either he gave an hundred of thousands, + Land and lock'd rings. Of the gift none needed to wyte him + Of mid earth, since the glory they gained by battle. + Then to Eofor he gave his one only daughter, + An home-worship soothly, for pledge of his good will. + That is the feud and the foeship full soothly, + The dead-hate of men, e'en as I have a weening, + Wherefor the Swede people against us shall seek, 3000 + Sithence they have learned that lieth our lord + All lifeless; e'en he that erewhile hath held + Against all the haters the hoard and the realm; + Who after the heroes' fall held the fierce Scylfings, + Framed the folk-rede, and further thereto + Did earlship-deeds. Now is haste best of all + That we now the folk-king should fare to be seeing, + And then that we bring him who gave us the rings + On his way to the bale: nor shall somewhat alone + With the moody be molten; but manifold hoard is, 3010 + Gold untold of by tale that grimly is cheapened, + And now at the last by this one's own life + Are rings bought, and all these the brand now shall fret, + The flame thatch them over: no earl shall bear off + One gem in remembrance; nor any fair maiden + Shall have on her halse a ring-honour thereof, + But in grief of mood henceforth, bereaved of gold, + Shall oft, and not once alone, alien earth tread, + Now that the host-learn'd hath laid aside laughter, + The game and the glee-joy. Therefore shall the spear, 3020 + Full many a morn-cold, of hands be bewounden, + Uphoven in hand; and no swough of the harp + Shall waken the warriors; but the wan raven rather + Fain over the fey many tales shall tell forth, + And say to the erne how it sped him at eating, + While he with the wolf was a-spoiling the slain. + So was the keen-whetted a-saying this while + Spells of speech loathly; he lied not much + Of weirds or of words. Then uprose all the war-band, + And unblithe they wended under the Ernes-ness, 3030 + All welling of tears, the wonder to look on. + Found they then on the sand, now lacking of soul, + Holding his bed, him that gave them the rings + In time erewhile gone by. But then was the end-day + Gone for the good one; since the king of the battle, + The lord of the Weders, in wonder-death died. + But erst there they saw a more seldom-seen sight, + The Worm on the lea-land over against him + Down lying there loathly; there was the fire-drake, + The grim of the terrors, with gleeds all beswealed. 3040 + He was of fifty feet of his measure + Long of his lying. Lift-joyance held he + In the whiles of the night, but down again wended + To visit his den. Now fast was he in death, + He had of the earth-dens the last end enjoyed. + There by him now stood the beakers and bowls, + There lay the dishes and dearly-wrought swords, + Rusty, through-eaten they, as in earth's bosom + A thousand of winters there they had wonned. + For that heritage there was, all craftily eked, 3050 + Gold of the yore men, in wizardry wounden; + So that that ring-hall might none reach thereto, + Not any of mankind but if God his own self, + Sooth king of victories, gave unto whom he would + (He is holder of men) to open that hoard, + E'en to whichso of mankind should seem to him meet. + + + + + XLII. THEY GO TO LOOK ON THE FIELD OF DEED. + + + Then it was to be seen that throve not the way + To him that unrightly had hidden within there + The fair gear 'neath the wall. The warder erst slew + Some few of folk, and the feud then became 3060 + Wrothfully wreaked. A wonder whenas + A valour-strong earl may reach on the ending + Of the fashion of life, when he longer in nowise + One man with his kinsmen may dwell in the mead-hall! + So to Beowulf was it when the burg's ward he sought. + For the hate of the weapons: he himself knew not + Wherethrough forsooth his world's sundering should be. + So until Doomsday they cursed it deeply, + Those princes the dread, who erst there had done it, + That that man should be of sins never sackless, 3070 + A-hoppled in shrines, in hell-bonds fast set, + With plague-spots be punish'd, who that plain should plunder. + But naught gold-greedy was he, more gladly had he + The grace of the Owner erst gotten to see. + Now spake out Wiglaf, that son was of Weohstan: + Oft shall many an earl for the will but of one + Dree the wrack, as to us even now is befallen: + Nowise might we learn the lief lord of us, + The herd of the realm, any of rede, + That he should not go greet that warder of gold, 3080 + But let him live yet, whereas long he was lying, + And wonne in his wicks until the world's ending; + But he held to high weird and the hoard hath been seen, + Grimly gotten: o'er hard forsooth was that giving, + That the king of the folk e'en thither enticed. + Lo! I was therein, and I look'd it all over, + The gear of the house, when for me room was gotten, + But I lightly in nowise had leave for the passage + In under the earth-wall; in haste I gat hold + Forsooth with my hands of a mickle main burden 3090 + Of hoard-treasures, and hither then out did I bear them, + Out unto my king, and then quick was he yet, + Wise, and wit-holding: a many things spake he, + That aged in grief-care, and bade me to greet you, + And prayed ye would do e'en after your friend's deeds + Aloft in the bale-stead a howe builded high, + Most mickle and mighty, as he amongst men was + The worthfullest warrior wide over the world, + While he the burg-weal erewhile might brook. + Then so let us hasten this second of whiles 3100 + To see and to seek the throng of things strange, + The wonder 'neath wall; I shall wise you the way, + So that ye from a-near may look on enough + Of rings and broad gold; and be the bier swiftly + All yare thereunto, whenas out we shall fare. + Then let us so ferry the lord that was ours, + The lief man of men, to where long shall he + In the All-Wielder's keeping full patiently wait. + Bade then to bid the bairn of that Weohstan, + The deer of the battle, to a many of warriors, 3110 + The house-owning wights, that the wood of the bale + They should ferry from far, e'en the folk-owning men, + Toward the good one. And now shall the gleed fret away, + The wan flame a-waxing, the strong one of warriors, + Him who oft-times abided the shower of iron + When the storm of the shafts driven on by the strings + Shook over the shield-wall, and the shaft held its service, + And eager with feather-gear follow'd the barb. + Now then the wise one, that son was of Weohstan, + Forth from the throng then call'd of the king's thanes 3120 + A seven together, the best to be gotten, + And himself went the eighth in under the foe-roof; + One man of the battlers in hand there he bare + A gleam of the fire, of the first went he inward. + It was nowise allotted who that hoard should despoil, + Sithence without warden some deal that there was + The men now beheld in the hall there a-wonning, + Lying there fleeting; little mourn'd any, + That they in all haste outward should ferry + The dear treasures. But forthwith the drake did they shove, 3130 + The Worm, o'er the cliff-wall, and let the wave take him, + The flood fathom about the fretted works' herd. + There then was wounden gold on the wain laden + Untold of each kind, and the Atheling borne, + The hoary of warriors, out on to Whale-ness. + + + + + XLIII. OF THE BURIAL OF BEOWULF. + + + For him then they geared, the folk of the Geats, + A pile on the earth all unweaklike that was, + With war-helms behung, and with boards of the battle, + And bright byrnies, e'en after the boon that he bade. + Laid down then amidmost their king mighty-famous 3140 + The warriors lamenting, the lief lord of them. + Began on the burg of bale-fires the biggest + The warriors to waken: the wood-reek went up + Swart over the smoky glow, sound of the flame + Bewound with the weeping (the wind-blending stilled), + Until it at last the bone-house had broken + Hot at the heart. All unglad of mind + With mood-care they mourned their own liege lord's quelling. + Likewise a sad lay the wife of aforetime + For Beowulf the king, with her hair all upbounden, 3150 + Sang sorrow-careful; said oft and over + That harm-days for herself in hard wise she dreaded, + The slaughter-falls many, much fear of the warrior, + The shaming and bondage. Heaven swallow'd the reek. + Wrought there and fashion'd the folk of the Weders + A howe on the lithe, that high was and broad. + Unto the wave-farers wide to be seen: + Then it they betimber'd in time of ten days, + The battle-strong's beacon; the brands' very-leavings + They bewrought with a wall in the worthiest of ways, 3160 + That men of all wisdom might find how to work. + Into burg then they did the rings and bright sun-gems, + And all such adornments as in the hoard there + The war-minded men had taken e'en now; + The earls' treasures let they the earth to be holding, + Gold in the grit, wherein yet it liveth, + As useless to men-folk as ever it erst was. + Then round the howe rode the deer of the battle, + The bairns of the athelings, twelve were they in all. + Their care would they mourn, and bemoan them their king, 3170 + The word-lay would they utter and over the man speak: + They accounted his earlship and mighty deeds done, + And doughtily deem'd them; as due as it is + That each one his friend-lord with words should belaud, + And love in his heart, whenas forth shall he + Away from the body be fleeting at last. + In such wise they grieved, the folk of the Geats, + For the fall of their lord, e'en they his hearth-fellows; + Quoth they that he was a world-king forsooth, + The mildest of all men, unto men kindest, 3180 + To his folk the most gentlest, most yearning of fame. + + + + +PERSONS AND PLACES + +(_Numbers refer to Pages_) + + [Transcriber's Note: + In this and the following section, page numbers in parentheses are + accompanied by a line reference in brackets.] + + +BEANSTAN, father of Breca (31 [524]). + +Beowulf the Dane (not Beowulf the Geat, the hero of the poem) was the +grandfather of Hrothgar (2, 4 [18, 53]). + +Beowulf the Geat. _See_ the Argument. + +Breca (30 [506]), who contended with Beowulf in swimming, was a chief of +the Brondings (31 [521]). + +Brisings' neck-gear (70 [1199]). "This necklace is the Brisinga-men, the +costly necklace of Freyja, which she won from the dwarfs and which was +stolen from her by Loki, as is told in the Edda" (Kemble). In our poem, +it is said that Hama carried off this necklace when he fled from +Eormenric, king of the Ostrogoths. + + +DAYRAVEN (143 [2500]), a brave warrior of the Hugs, and probably the +slayer of Hygelac, whom, in that case, Beowulf avenged. + + +EADGILS, Eanmund (136, 137 [2379, 2391]), "sons of Ohthere," and nephews +of the Swedish King Onela, by whom they were banished from their native +land for rebellion. They took refuge at the court of the Geat King +Heardred, and Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn," enraged at their finding an +asylum with his hereditary foes, invaded Geatland, and slew Heardred. At +a later time Beowulf, when king of the Geats, balanced the feud by +supporting Eadgils in an invasion of Sweden, in which King Onela was +slain. + +Eanmund (149 [2610]), while in exile at the court of the Geats, was +slain by Weohstan, father of Wiglaf, and stripped of the armour given +him by his uncle, the Swedish King Onela. Weohstan "spake not about the +feud, although he had slain Onela's brother's son," probably because he +was not proud of having slain an "exile unfriended" in a private +quarrel. + +Ecglaf, father of Unferth, Hrothgar's spokesman (29 [499]). + +Ecgtheow (22 [373]), father of Beowulf the Geat, by the only daughter of +Hrethel, king of the Geats. Having slain Heatholaf, a warrior of the +Wylfings, Ecgtheow sought protection at the court of the Danish King +Hrothgar, who accepted his fealty and settled the feud by a +money-payment (27 [463]). Hence the heartiness of Beowulf's welcome at +Hrothgar's hands. + +Ecgwela. The Scyldings or Danes are once called "Ecgwela's offspring" +(99 [1710]). He may have been the founder of the older dynasty of Danish +kings which ended with Heremod. + +Eofor (142, 167-9 [2485, 2963-2996]), a Geat warrior, brother of Wulf. +He came to the aid of his brother in his single combat with the Swedish +King Ongentheow, and slew the king, being rewarded by Hygelac with the +hand of his only daughter. + +Eotens (61, 62, 66 [1072, 1088, 1141]) are the people of Finn, king of +Friesland. In other passages, it is merely a name for a race of +monsters. + + +FINN (61-7 [1068-1156]). The somewhat obscure Finn episode in _Beowulf_ +appears to be part of a Finn epic, of which only the merest fragment, +called the _Fight at Finnsburg_, is extant. The following conjectured +outline of the whole story is based on this fragment and on the Beowulf +episode; Finn, king of the Frisians, had carried off Hildeburh, daughter +of Hoc, probably with her consent. Her father, Hoc, seems to have +pursued the fugitives, and to have been slain in the fight which ensued +on his overtaking them. After the lapse of some twenty years Hoc's sons, +Hnęf and Hengest, are old enough to undertake the duty of avenging their +father's death. They make an inroad into Finn's country, and a battle +takes place in which many warriors, among them Hnęf and a son of Finn, +are killed. Peace is then solemnly concluded, and the slain warriors are +burnt. As the year is too far advanced for Hengest to return home, he +and those of his men who survive remain for the winter in the Frisian +country with Finn. But Hengest's thoughts dwell constantly on the death +of his brother Hnęf, and he would gladly welcome any excuse to break the +peace which had been sworn by both parties. His ill-concealed desire for +revenge is noticed by the Frisians, who anticipate it by themselves +attacking Hengest and his men whilst they are sleeping in the hall. This +is the night attack described in the _Fight at Finnsburg_. It would seem +that after a brave and desperate resistance Hengest himself falls in +this fight at the hands of the son of Hunlaf (66 [1143]), but two of his +retainers, Guthlaf and Oslaf, succeed in cutting their way through their +enemies and in escaping to their own land. They return with fresh +troops, attack and slay Finn, and carry his queen Hildeburh back to the +Daneland. + +Folkwalda (62 [1089]), father of Finn. + +Franks (70, 165 [1210, 2911]). Hygelac, king of the Geats, was defeated +and slain early in the sixth century, in his historical invasion of the +Netherlands, by a combined army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs. + +Freawaru (116 [2022]), daughter of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow. Beowulf +tells Hygelac that her father has betrothed her to Ingeld, prince of the +Heathobards, in the hope of settling the feud between the two peoples. +But he prophesies that the hope will prove vain: for an old Heathobard +warrior, seeing a Danish chieftain accompany Freawaru to their court +laden with Heathobard spoils, will incite the son of the former owner of +the plundered treasure to revenge, until blood is shed, and the feud is +renewed. That this was what afterwards befell, we learn from the Old +English poem _Widsith_. _See also_ ll. 83-5. + +Friesland (65 [1126]), the land of the North Frisians. + +Frieslands (135 [2356]), Frisian land (165 [2914]), the home of the West +Frisians. + +Frisians. Two tribes are to be distinguished: 1. The North Frisians (61, +63 [1070, 1093]), the people of Finn. 2. The West Frisians (143, 165 +[2502, 2911]), who combined with the Franks and Hugs and defeated +Hygelac, between 512 and 520 A.D. + +Froda (117 [2025]), father of Ingeld. _See_ Freawaru. + + +GUTHLAF and Oslaf (66 [1148]). _See_ Finn. + + +HĘRETH (112, 114 [1929, 1981]), father of Hygd, wife of Hygelac. + +Hęthcyn (139, 142, 165 [2433, 2481, 2924]), second son of Hrethel, king +of the Geats, and thus elder brother of Hygelac. He accidentally killed +his elder brother Herebeald with a bow-shot, to the inconsolable grief +of Hrethel. He succeeded to the throne at his father's death, but fell +in battle at Ravenwood (165 [2924]) by the hand of the Swedish King +Ongentheow. + +Half-Danes (61 [1069]), the tribe to which Hnęf belongs. _See_ Finn. + +Hama (69 [1198]). _See_ Brisings. + +Healfdene (4 [57]), king of the Danes, son of Beowulf the Scylding, and +father of Hrothgar, "Healfdene's son" (16 [268]). + +Heardred (126, 136-7 [2202, 2374-2387]), son of Hygelac and Hygd. While +still under age he succeeds his father as king of the Geats, Beowulf, +who has refused the throne himself, being his counsellor and protector. +He is slain by "Ongentheow's bairn" (137 [2386]), Onela, king of the +Swedes. + +Heathobards, Lombards, the tribe of Ingeld, the betrothed of Freawaru, +Hrothgar's daughter (117 [2032]). + +Heatholaf (27 [460]). _See_ Ecgtheow. + +Helmings. "The Dame of the Helmings" (36 [620]) is Hrothgar's queen, +Wealhtheow. + +Hemming. "The Kinsman of Hemming" is a name for Offa (112 [1944]) and +for his son Eomęr (113 [1961]). + +Hengest (62-5 [1083-1127]). _See_ Finn. + +Heorogar (5 [61]), elder brother of Hrothgar (27 [467]), did not leave +his armour to his son Heoroward (124 [2158]); but Hrothgar gives it to +Beowulf, and Beowulf gives it to Hygelac. + +Herebeald (139, 141 [2433, 2462]), eldest son of the Geat King Hrethel, +was accidentally shot dead with an arrow by his brother Hęthcyn. + +Heremod (53, 99 [915, 1709]) is twice spoken of as a bad and cruel +Danish king. In the end he is betrayed into the hands of his foes. + +Hereric may have been brother of Hygd, Hygelac's queen, for their son +Heardred is spoken of as "the nephew of Hereric" (126 [2206]). + +Here-Scyldings (64 [1108]), Army-Scyldings, a name of the Danes. + +Hetware (135, 165 [2362, 2915]), the Hattuarii of the _Historia +Francorum_ of Gregory of Tours and of the _Gesta Regum Francorum_, were +the tribe against which Hygelac was raiding when he was defeated and +slain by an army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs. + +Hildeburh (61, 64 [1071, 1114]). _See_ Finn. + +Hnęf (61, 64 [1069, 1114]). _See_ Finn. + +Hoc (62 [1076]). _See_ Finn. + +Hrethel, a former king of the Geats; son of Swerting (70 [1202]), father +of Hygelac and grandfather of Beowulf (22 [374]), to whom he left his +coat of mail (26 [454]). He died of grief at the loss of his eldest son +Herebeald (139-42) [2429-2473], who was accidentally slain by his brother +Hęthcyn. + + [Transcriber's Note: + Page 70 [l. 1202] text reads "Hygelac ... grandson of Swerting." + Hrethel is not named.] + +Hrethlings (167 [2959]), the people of Hrethel, the Geats. + +Hrethmen (26 [445]), Triumph-men, the Danes. + +Hrethric (69, 106 [1189, 1836]), elder son of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow. + +Hrothgar. _See_ the Argument. + +Hrothulf (59, 68 [1017, 1181]), probably the son of Hrothgar's younger +brother Halga (5 [61]). He lives at the Danish court. Wealhtheow hopes +that, if he survives Hrothgar, he will be good to their children in +return for their kindness to him. It would seem that this hope was not +to be fulfilled ("yet of kindred unsunder'd," 67 [1164]). + +Hygd, daughter of Hęreth, wife of Hygelac, the king of the Geats, and +mother of Heardred. She may well be "the wife of aforetime" (177 +[3149]). + +Hygelac, third son of Hrethel (139 [2433]) and uncle to Beowulf, is the +reigning king of the Geats during the greater part of the action of the +poem. When his brother Hęthcyn was defeated and slain by Ongentheow at +Ravenwood (165 [2923]), Hygelac quickly went in pursuit and put +Ongentheow to flight; but although, as leader of the attack, he is +called "the banesman of Ongentheow" (114 [1986]), the actual slayer was +Eofor (142, 167 [2485, 2963]), whom Hygelac rewarded with the hand of +his only daughter (169 [2996]). Hygelac came by his death between 512 +and 520 A.D., in his historical invasion of the Netherlands, which is +referred to in the poem four times (70, 135, 143, 165 [1207, 2356, 2502, +2911]). + + +ING (147 [2576]). _See_ Ingwines. + +Ingeld (119 [2064]). _See_ Freawaru. + +Ingwines (60, 77 [1044, 1319]), "friends of Ing," the Danes. Ing, +according to the Old English _Rune-Poem_, "was first seen by men amid +the East Danes"; he has been identified with Frea. + + +MERWING, The (165 [2920]), the Merovingian king of the Franks. + + +OFFA (113 [1949]). _See_ Thrytho. + +Ohthere (136-7, 165 [2379-2393, 2927]), son of the Swedish King +Ongentheow, and father of Eanmund and Eadgils (_q.v._). + +Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn" (137 [2386]) and elder brother of Ohthere, +is king of Sweden ("the helm of the Scylfings," 136 [2380]) at the time +of the rebellion of Eanmund and Eadgils. He invades the land of the +Geats, which has harboured the rebels, slays Heardred, son of Hygelac, +and then retreats before Beowulf. At a later time Beowulf avenges the +death of Heardred by supporting Eadgils, "son of Ohthere" (137 [2393]), +in an invasion of Sweden, in which Onela is slain. _See also_ Eadgils; +and compare the slaying of Ali by Athils on the ice of Lake Wener in the +Icelandic "Heimskringla." + +Ongentheow, father of Onela and Ohthere, was a former king of the +Swedes. The earlier strife between the Swedes and the Geats, in which he +is the chief figure, is fully related by the messenger (164 [2891]) who +brings the tidings of Beowulf's death. In retaliation for the marauding +invasions of Onela and Ohthere (142 [2474]), Hęthcyn invaded Sweden, and +took Ongentheow's queen prisoner. Ongentheow in return invaded the land +of her captor, whom he slew, and rescued his wife (165 [2923]); but in +his hour of triumph he was attacked in his turn by Hygelac near +Ravenwood, and fell by the hand of Eofor (168 [2960]). + + +SCANEY (97 [1686]), Scede-lands (2 [19]), the most southern portion of +the Scandinavian peninsula, belonging to the Danes; used in our poem for +the whole Danish kingdom. + +Scyld (1 [4]), son of Sheaf, was the mythical founder of the royal +Danish dynasty of Scyldings. + +Scyldings, descendants of Scyld, properly the name of the reigning +Danish dynasty, is commonly extended to include the Danish people (3 +[30]). + +Scylfing: "the Scylfing" (167 [2967]), "the aged of Scylfings" (142 +[2486]), is Ongentheow. + +Scylfings (136 [2380]), the name of the reigning Swedish dynasty, was +extended to the Swedish people in the same way as "Scyldings" to the +Danes. Beowulf's kinsman Wiglaf is called "lord of Scylfings" (149 +[2601]), and in another passage the name is apparently applied to the +Geats (170 [3004]); this seems to point to a common ancestry of Swedes +and Geats, or it may be that Beowulf's father Ecgtheow was a "Scylfing." + + +THRYTHO (112 [1931]), wife of the Angle King Offa and mother of Eomęr, +is mentioned in contrast to Hygd, just as Heremod is a foil to Beowulf. +She is at first the type of a cruel, unwomanly queen. But by her +marriage with Offa, who seems to be her second husband, she is subdued +and changed until her fame even adds glory to his. + + +UNFERTH, son of Ecglaf, is the spokesman of Hrothgar, at whose feet he +sits. He is of a jealous disposition, and is twice spoken of as the +murderer of his own brothers (34, 67 [587, 1165]). Taunting Beowulf with +defeat in his swimming-match with Breca, he is silenced by the hero's +reply, and more effectually still by the issue of the struggle with +Grendel (57 [980]). Afterwards, however, he lends his sword Hrunting for +Beowulf's encounter with Grendel's mother (85, 104 [1465, 1808]). + + +WĘGMUNDINGS (149, 160 [2605, 2803]), the family to which both Beowulf +and Wiglaf belong. Their fathers, Ecgtheow and Weohstan, may have been +sons of Węgmund. + +Wedermark (17 [298]), the land of the Weder-Geats, _i.e._ the Geats. + +Weders, Weder-Geats (13, 86, 122 [225, 1492, 2120]), Geats. + +Weland (26 [455]), the Völund of the Edda, the famous smith of Teutonic +legend, was the maker of Beowulf's coat of mail. See the figured casket +in the British Museum; and compare "Wayland Smith's Cave" near the White +Horse, in Berkshire. + +Weohstan was the father of Beowulf's kinsman and faithful henchman +Wiglaf, and the slayer of Eanmund (149 [2601]). + +Wonred, father of "Wulf the Wonreding" (167 [2964]), and of Eofor. + +Wulf (167 [2964]). _See_ Eofor. + +Wulfgar, "a lord of the Wendels" (20 [348]), is an official of +Hrothgar's court, where he is the first to greet Beowulf and his Geats, +and introduces them to Hrothgar. + +Wythergyld (118 [2051]) is a warrior of the Heathobards. + + + + +THE MEANING OF SOME WORDS NOT COMMONLY USED NOW + +(_Numbers refer to Pages_) + + [Transcriber's Note: + In this and the previous section, page numbers in parentheses are + accompanied by a line reference in brackets.] + + + _A-banning, the work was_ (5) [74], orders for the work were given. + _Arede_ (119) [2056], possess. + _Atheling_, prince, noble, noble warrior. + + _Barm_, lap, bosom. + _Behalsed_ (5 [63]), embraced by the neck. + _Berne_, man, warrior, hero. + _Bestead_ (143 [2499]), served. + _Beswealed_, scorched, burnt. + _Beswinked_, sweated. + _Birlers_, cup-bearers. + _Board_, shield. + _Bode_, announce. + _Bollen_, swollen, angry. + _Boot_ (9 [158]), compensation. + _Boun_ (18 [301]), made ready. + _Braided_ (147 [2574]), drew, lifted. + _Brim_, sea. + _Brook_, use, enjoy. + _Burg_, fortified place, stronghold, mount, barrow; protection; + protector; family (163 [2886]). + _Byrny_, coat of mail. + + _Devil-dray_, nest of devils. Cf. _squirrel's-dray_, common in Berks; + used by Cowper. + _Dreary_, bloody. + _Dree_, do, accomplish, suffer, enjoy, spend (155 [2725]). + + _Ealdor_, chief, lord. + _Eme_, uncle. + _Eoten_, giant, monster, enemy. + + _Fathom_, embrace. + _Feeless_, not to be atoned for with money. + _Ferry_, bring, carry. + _Fifel_, monster. + _Flyting_, contending, scolding. + _Fold_, the earth. + _Forheed_, disregard. + _Forwritten_, proscribed. + _Frist_, space of time, delay. + + _Gar_, spear. + _Graithly_, readily, well. + + _Halse_, neck. + _Hand-shoal_, band of warriors. + _Hery_, praise. + _Hild-play_, battle. + _Holm_, ocean, sea. + _Holm-throng_, eddy of the sea. + _Holt_, wood. + _Hote_, call. + _Howe_, mound, burial-mound. + _Hythe_, ferry, haven. + + _Kemp_, champion, fighter. + + _Lithe_, slope. + _Loom_, heirloom. + _Low_ (133 [2320]), flame. + _Lyke_, body. + + _Moody_, brave, proud. + + _Nicors_, sea-monsters. + _Nithing_ (12 [193]), spite, malice. + + _O'erthinking_, overweening, arrogance. + + _Rail, railings_, coat, armour. + _Rimed_, counted, reckoned. + + _Sea-lode_, sea-voyage. + _Sin_, malice, hatred, hostility. + _Skinked_, poured out. + _Slot_, track. + _Staple_, threshold. + _Stone-bow_, arch of stone. + _Sty_, stride, ascend, descend. + _Sweal_, burn. + + _Through-witting_, understanding. + + _Undern_, from 9 o'clock till 12 o'clock; "at undren and at middai," + O.E. Miscellany. + + _Warths_, shores, still in use at Wick St. Lawrence, in Somerset. + _Wick_, dwelling. + _Wick-stead_, dwelling-place. + _Wise_, direct, show. + _Wit-lust_, curiosity. + _Worth_, shall be. + _Wreak_, utter. + _Wyte_, blame, charge with. + _Yare_, ready. + _Yode_, went. + + + + + * * * * * + + + +Errors and Inconsistencies + + List of Names + + Dayraven, Ravenwood + _both names hyphenated in body text_ + Freawaru + _text reads "Ereawaru"_ + Hrethel ... at the loss of his eldest son Herebeald (139-42) + _text reads "-41"_ + Wythergyld + _name spelled "Withergyld" in body text_ + + Glossary + + _Arede_ (119) [2056], possess. + _text reads "(118)"_ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF BEOWULF*** + + +******* This file should be named 20431-8.txt or 20431-8.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/4/3/20431 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at <a href = "http://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a></pre> +<p>Title: The Tale of Beowulf</p> +<p> Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats</p> +<p>Author: Anonymous</p> +<p>Release Date: January 23, 2007 [eBook #20431]</p> +<p>Language: English</p> +<p>Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1</p> +<p>***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF BEOWULF***</p> +<br><br><center><h3 class="pg">E-text prepared by Louise Hope, R. Cedron,<br> + and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team<br> + (http://www.pgdp.net/c/)</h3></center><br><br> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p> </p> +<p> </p> + +<h3>THE TALE OF BEOWULF<br> +SOMETIME KING OF THE<br> +FOLK OF THE WEDER<br> +GEATS TRANSLATED BY<br> +WILLIAM MORRIS AND<br> +A. J. WYATT</h3> + +<h2> <br> </h2> + +<h5>LONGMANS, GREEN, AND CO.</h5> +<h6>39 PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON<br> +NEW YORK AND BOMBAY<br> +MCMIV</h6> + +<h1> <br> </h1> + +<h6>BIBLIOGRAPHICAL NOTE</h6> + +<table class ="biblio"> +<tr> +<td>First printed at the Kelmscott Press,</td> +<td>January 1895</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Ordinary Edition</td> +<td>August 1898</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td>Reprinted</td> +<td>August 1904</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<h2> <br> </h2> + +<div class = "contents"> +<h4>Contents</h4> +<h5>(table added by transcriber)</h5> + +<table summary = "table of contents"> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td><a href = "#argument">Argument</a></td> +</tr> +<tr class = "toppad"> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapI">Chapter I.</a></td> +<td>And First of the Kindred of Hrothgar.</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapII">II.</a></td> +<td><p>Concerning Hrothgar, and How He Built the House Called Hart. +Also Grendel Is Told of.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapIII">III.</a></td> +<td><p>How Grendel Fell Upon Hart and Wasted It.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapIV">IV.</a></td> +<td><p>Now Comes Beowulf Ecgtheow's Son to the Land of the Danes, +and the Wall-Warden Speaketh With Him.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapV">V.</a></td> +<td><p>Here Beowulf Makes Answer to the Land-Warden, +Who Showeth Him the Way to the King's Abode.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapVI">VI.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf and the Geats Come Into Hart.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapVII">VII.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Speaketh With Hrothgar, and Telleth How He Will Meet Grendel.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapVIII">VIII.</a></td> +<td><p>Hrothgar Answereth Beowulf and Biddeth Him Sit to the Feast.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapIX">IX.</a></td> +<td><p>Unferth Contendeth in Words With Beowulf.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapX">X.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Makes An End of His Tale of the Swimming. +Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's Queen, Greets Him; +and Hrothgar Delivers to Him the Warding of the Hall.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXI">XI.</a></td> +<td><p>Now Is Beowulf Left in the Hall Alone With His Men.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXII">XII.</a></td> +<td><p>Grendel Cometh Into Hart: of the Strife Betwixt Him and Beowulf.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXIII">XIII.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Hath the Victory: +Grendel Is Hurt Deadly and Leaveth Hand and Arm in the Hall.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXIV">XIV.</a></td> +<td><p>The Danes Rejoice; They Go to Look on the Slot of Grendel, +and Come Back to Hart, and on the Way Make Merry With Racing +and the Telling of Tales.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXV">XV.</a></td> +<td><p>King Hrothgar and His Thanes Look on the Arm of Grendel. +Converse Betwixt Hrothgar and Beowulf Concerning the Battle.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXVI">XVI.</a></td> +<td><p>Hrothgar Giveth Gifts to Beowulf.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXVII">XVII.</a></td> +<td><p>They Feast in Hart. The Gleeman Sings of Finn and Hengest.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXVIII">XVIII.</a></td> +<td><p>The Ending of the Tale of Finn.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXIX">XIX.</a></td> +<td><p>More Gifts Are Given to Beowulf. The Brising Collar Told of.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXX">XX.</a></td> +<td><p>Grendel's Dam Breaks Into Hart and Bears Off Aeschere.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXI">XXI.</a></td> +<td><p>Hrothgar Laments the Slaying of Aeschere, +and Tells of Grendel's Mother and Her Den.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXII">XXII.</a></td> +<td><p>They Follow Grendel's Dam to Her Lair.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXIII">XXIII.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Reacheth the Mere-Bottom in A Day's While, +and Contends With Grendel's Dam.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXIV">XXIV.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Slayeth Grendel's Dam, Smiteth Off Grendel's Head, +and Cometh Back With His Thanes to Hart.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXV">XXV.</a></td> +<td><p>Converse of Hrothgar With Beowulf.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXVI">XXVI.</a></td> +<td><p>More Converse of Hrothgar and Beowulf: +the Geats Make Them Ready For Departure.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXVII">XXVII.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Bids Hrothgar Farewell: the Geats Fare to Ship.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXVIII">XXVIII.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Comes Back to His Land. of the Tale of Thrytho.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXIX">XXIX.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Tells Hygelac of Hrothgar: +Also of Freawaru His Daughter.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXX">XXX.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Forebodes Ill From the Wedding of Freawaru: +He Tells of Grendel and His Dam.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXI">XXXI.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Gives Hrothgar's Gifts to Hygelac, and By Him Is Rewarded. +of the Death of Hygelac and of Heardred His Son, and How Beowulf Is King +of the Geats: the Worm Is First Told of.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXII">XXXII.</a></td> +<td><p>How the Worm Came to the Howe, and How He Was Robbed of A Cup; +and How He Fell on the Folk.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXIII">XXXIII.</a></td> +<td><p>The Worm Burns Beowulf's House, +and Beowulf Gets Ready to Go Against Him. +Beowulf's Early Deeds in Battle With the Hetware Told of.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXIV">XXXIV.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Goes Against the Worm. He Tells of Herebeald and Hęthcyn.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXV">XXXV.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Tells of Past Feuds, and Bids Farewell to His Fellows: +He Falls on the Worm, and the Battle of Them Begins.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXVI">XXXVI.</a></td> +<td><p>Wiglaf Son of Weohstan Goes to the Help of Beowulf: +Nęgling, Beowulf's Sword, Is Broken on the Worm.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXVII">XXXVII.</a></td> +<td><p>They Two Slay the Worm. Beowulf Is Wounded Deadly: +He Biddeth Wiglaf Bear Out the Treasure.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXVIII">XXXVIII.</a></td> +<td><p>Beowulf Beholdeth the Treasure and Passeth Away.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXXXIX">XXXIX.</a></td> +<td><p>Wiglaf Casteth Shame on Those Fleers.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXL">XL.</a></td> +<td><p>Wiglaf Sendeth Tiding to the Host: the Words of the Messenger.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXLI">XLI.</a></td> +<td><p>More Words of the Messenger. +How He Fears the Swedes When They Wot of Beowulf Dead.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXLII">XLII.</a></td> +<td><p>They Go to Look on the Field of Deed.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class = "number"><a href = "#chapXLIII">XLIII.</a></td> +<td><p>Of the Burial of Beowulf.</p></td> +</tr> +<tr class = "toppad"> +<td></td> +<td><a href = "#names">Persons and Places</a></td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td></td> +<td><a href = "#vocab">The Meaning of Some Words</a></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p> <br> </p> + +<span class = "pagenum">v</span> +<h3 class = "chapter"><a name = "argument" id = "argument"> +ARGUMENT</a></h3> + +<p>Hrothgar, king of the Danes, lives happily and peacefully, and +bethinks him to build a glorious hall called Hart. But a little after, +one Grendel, of the kindred of the evil wights that are come of Cain, +hears the merry noise of Hart and cannot abide it; so he enters +thereinto by night, and slays and carries off and devours thirty of +Hrothgar's thanes. Thereby he makes Hart waste for twelve years, and the +tidings of this mishap are borne wide about lands. Then comes to the +helping of Hrothgar Beowulf, the son of Ecgtheow, a thane of King +Hygelac of the Geats, with fourteen fellows. They are met on the shore +by the land-warder, and by him shown to Hart and the stead of Hrothgar, +who receives them gladly, and to whom Beowulf tells his errand, that he +will help him against Grendel. They feast in the hall, and one Unferth, +son of Ecglaf, taunts Beowulf through jealousy that he was outdone +<span class = "pagenum">vi</span> +by Breca in swimming. Beowulf tells the true tale thereof. And a little +after, at nightfall, Hrothgar and his folk leave the hall Hart, and it +is given in charge to Beowulf, who with his Geats abides there the +coming of Grendel.</p> + +<p>Soon comes Grendel to the hall, and slays a man of the Geats, hight +Handshoe, and then grapples with Beowulf, who will use no weapon against +him: Grendel feels himself over-mastered and makes for the door, and +gets out, but leaves his hand and arm behind him with Beowulf: men on +the wall hear the great noise of this battle and the wailing of Grendel. +In the morning the Danes rejoice, and follow the bloody slot of Grendel, +and return to Hart racing and telling old tales, as of Sigemund and the +Worm. Then come the king and his thanes to look on the token of victory, +Grendel's hand and arm, which Beowulf has let fasten: to the +hall-gable.</p> + +<p>The king praises Beowulf and rewards him, and they feast in Hart, and +the tale of Finn and Hengest is told. Then Hrothgar leaves Hart, and so +does Beowulf also with his Geats, but the Danes keep guard there.</p> + +<p>In the night comes in Grendel's Mother, and catches up Aeschere, +a thane of Hrothgar, and carries him off to her lair. In the +morning is +<span class = "pagenum">vii</span> +Beowulf fetched to Hrothgar, who tells him of this new grief and craves +his help.</p> + +<p>Then they follow up the slot and come to a great water-side, and find +thereby Aeschere's head, and the place is known for the lair of those +two: monsters are playing in the deep, and Beowulf shoots one of them to +death. Then Beowulf dights him and leaps into the water, and is a day's +while reaching the bottom. There he is straightway caught hold of by +Grendel's Mother, who bears him into her hall. When he gets free he +falls on her, but the edge of the sword Hrunting (lent to him by +Unferth) fails him, and she casts him to the ground and draws her sax to +slay him; but he rises up, and sees an old sword of the giants hanging +on the wall; he takes it and smites off her head therewith. He sees +Grendel lying dead, and his head also he strikes off; but the blade of +the sword is molten in his venomous blood. Then Beowulf strikes upward, +taking with him the head of Grendel and the hilts of the sword. When he +comes to the shore he finds his Geats there alone; for the Danes fled +when they saw the blood floating in the water.</p> + +<p>They go up to Hrothgar's stead, and four men must needs bear the +head. They come to Hrothgar, and Beowulf gives him the hilts and +<span class = "pagenum">viii</span> +tells him what he has done. Much praise is given to Beowulf; and they +feast together.</p> + +<p>On the morrow Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar, more gifts are +given, and messages are sent to Hygelac: Beowulf departs with the full +love of Hrothgar. The Geats come to their ship and reward the +ship-warder, and put off and sail to their own land. Beowulf comes to +Hygelac's house. Hygelac is told of, and his wife Hygd, and her good +conditions, against whom is set as a warning the evil Queen Thrytho.</p> + +<p>Beowulf tells all the tale of his doings in full to Hygelac, and +gives him his gifts, and the precious-gemmed collar to Hygd. Here is +told of Beowulf, and how he was contemned in his youth, and is now grown +so renowned.</p> + +<p>Time wears; Hygelac is slain in battle; Heardred, his son, reigns in +his stead, he is slain by the Swedes, and Beowulf is made king. When he +is grown old, and has been king for fifty years, come new tidings. +A great dragon finds on the sea-shore a mound wherein is stored the +treasure of ancient folk departed. The said dragon abides there, and +broods the gold for 300 years.</p> + +<p>Now a certain thrall, who had misdone against his lord and was +fleeing from his wrath, haps on the said treasure and takes a cup +thence, which +<span class = "pagenum">ix</span> +he brings to his lord to appease his wrath. The Worm waketh, and findeth +his treasure lessened, but can find no man who hath done the deed. +Therefore he turns on the folk, and wars on them, and burns Beowulf's +house.</p> + +<p>Now Beowulf will go and meet the Worm. He has an iron shield made, +and sets forth with eleven men and the thrall the thirteenth. He comes +to the ness, and speaks to his men, telling them of his past days, and +gives them his last greeting: then he cries out a challenge to the Worm, +who comes forth, and the battle begins: Beowulf's sword will not bite on +the Worm. Wiglaf eggs on the others to come to Beowulf's help, and goes +himself straightway, and offers himself to Beowulf; the Worm comes on +again, and Beowulf breaks his sword Nęgling on him, and the Worm wounds +Beowulf. Wiglaf smites the Worm in the belly; Beowulf draws his ax, and +between them they slay the Worm.</p> + +<p>Beowulf now feels his wounds, and knows that he is hurt deadly; he +sits down by the wall, and Wiglaf bathes his wounds. Beowulf speaks, +tells how he would give his armour to his son if he had one; thanks God +that he has not sworn falsely or done guilefully; and prays Wiglaf to +bear out the treasure that he may see it before he dies.</p> + +<p><span class = "pagenum">x</span> +Wiglaf fetches out the treasure, and again bathes Beowulf's wounds; +Beowulf speaks again, rejoices over the sight of the treasure; gives to +Wiglaf his ring and his armour, and bids the manner of his bale-fire. +With that he passes away. Now the dastards come thereto and find Wiglaf +vainly bathing his dead lord. He casteth shame upon them with great +wrath. Thence he sends a messenger to the barriers of the town, who +comes to the host, and tells them of the death of Beowulf. He tells +withal of the old feud betwixt the Geats and the Swedes, and how these, +when they hear of the death of the king, will be upon them. The warriors +go to look on Beowulf, and find him and the Worm lying dead together. +Wiglaf chooses out seven of them to go void the treasure-house, after +having bidden them gather wood for the bale-fire. They shove the Worm +over the cliff into the sea, and bear off the treasure in wains. Then +they bring Beowulf's corpse to bale, and they kindle it; a woman +called the wife of aforetime, it may be Hygd, widow of Hygelac, bemoans +him: and twelve children of the athelings ride round the bale, and +bemoan Beowulf and praise him: and thus ends the poem.</p> + +<br> + + +<span class = "pagenum">1</span> +<a name = "page1" id = "page1"> </a> + + +<h3 class = "chapter">THE STORY OF BEOWULF</h3> + + +<div class = "poem"> + +<br> + +<h4><a name = "chapI" id = "chapI"> +I. AND FIRST OF THE KINDRED OF HROTHGAR.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">What!</span> +we of the Spear-Danes of yore days, so was it</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +That we learn'd of the fair fame of kings of the folks</p> +<p>And the athelings a-faring in framing of valour.</p> +<a name = "line4" id = "line4"> </a> +<p>Oft then Scyld the Sheaf-son from the hosts of the scathers,</p> +<p>From kindreds a many the mead-settles tore;</p> +<p>It was then the earl fear'd them, sithence was he first</p> +<p>Found bare and all-lacking; so solace he bided,</p> +<p>Wax'd under the welkin in worship to thrive,</p> +<p>Until it was so that the round-about sitters</p> +<span class = "linenum">10</span> +<p>All over the whale-road must hearken his will</p> +<p>And yield him the tribute. A good king was that,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">2</span> +<a name = "page2" id = "page2"> </a> +<p>By whom then thereafter a son was begotten,</p> +<p>A youngling in garth, whom the great God sent thither</p> +<p>To foster the folk; and their crime-need he felt</p> +<p>The load that lay on them while lordless they lived</p> +<p>For a long while and long. He therefore, the Life-lord,</p> +<p>The Wielder of glory, world's worship he gave him:</p> +<a name = "line18" id = "line18"> </a> +<p>Brim Beowulf waxed, and wide the weal upsprang</p> +<a name = "line19" id = "line19"> </a> +<p>Of the offspring of Scyld in the parts of the Scede-lands.</p> +<span class = "linenum">20</span> +<p>Such wise shall a youngling with wealth be a-working</p> +<p>With goodly fee-gifts toward the friends of his father,</p> +<p>That after in eld-days shall ever bide with him,</p> +<p>Fair fellows well-willing when wendeth the war-tide,</p> +<p>Their lief lord a-serving. By praise-deeds it shall be</p> +<p>That in each and all kindreds a man shall have thriving.</p> +<p>Then went his ways Scyld when the shapen while was,</p> +<p>All hardy to wend him to the lord and his warding:</p> +<span class = "pagenum">3</span> +<a name = "page3" id = "page3"> </a> +<p>Out then did they bear him to the side of the sea-flood,</p> +<p>The dear fellows of him, as he himself pray'd them</p> +<span class = "linenum">30</span> +<a name = "line30" id = "line30"> </a> +<p>While yet his word wielded the friend of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>The dear lord of the land; a long while had he own'd it.</p> +<p>With stem all be-ringed at the hythe stood the ship,</p> +<p>All icy and out-fain, the Atheling's ferry.</p> +<p>There then did they lay him, the lord well beloved,</p> +<p>The gold-rings' bestower, within the ship's barm,</p> +<p>The mighty by mast. Much there was the treasure,</p> +<p>From far ways forsooth had the fret-work been led:</p> +<p>Never heard I of keel that was comelier dighted</p> +<p>With weapons of war, and with weed of the battle,</p> +<span class = "linenum">40</span> +<p>With bills and with byrnies. There lay in his barm</p> +<p>Much wealth of the treasure that with him should be,</p> +<p>And he into the flood's might afar to depart.</p> +<p>No lesser a whit were the wealth-goods they dight him</p> +<p>Of the goods of the folk, than did they who aforetime,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">4</span> +<a name = "page4" id = "page4"> </a> +<p>When was the beginning, first sent him away</p> +<p>Alone o'er the billows, and he but a youngling.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Moreover they set him up there a sign golden</p> +<p>High up overhead, and let the holm bear him,</p> +<p>Gave all to the Spearman. Sad mind they had in them,</p> +<span class = "linenum">50</span> +<p>And mourning their mood was. Now never knew men,</p> +<p>For sooth how to say it, rede-masters in hall,</p> +<p>Or heroes 'neath heaven, to whose hands came the lading.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapII" id = "chapII"> +II. CONCERNING HROTHGAR, AND HOW HE BUILT THE HOUSE CALLED HART. +ALSO GRENDEL IS TOLD OF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">In</span> +the burgs then was biding Beowulf the Scylding,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Dear King of the people, for long was he dwelling</p> +<p>Far-famed of folks (his father turn'd elsewhere,</p> +<p>From his stead the Chief wended) till awoke to him after</p> +<a name = "line57" id = "line57"> </a> +<p>Healfdene the high, and long while he held it,</p> +<p>Ancient and war-eager, o'er the glad Scyldings:</p> +<p>Of his body four bairns are forth to him rimed;</p> +<span class = "linenum">60</span> +<p>Into the world woke the leader of war-hosts</p> +<span class = "pagenum">5</span> +<a name = "page5" id = "page5"> </a> +<a name = "line61" id = "line61"> </a> +<p>Heorogar; eke Hrothgar, and Halga the good;</p> +<p>Heard I that Elan queen was she of Ongentheow,</p> +<p>That Scylding of battle, the bed-mate +<a name = "behalsed" id = "behalsed">behalsed</a>.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then was unto Hrothgar the war-speed given,</p> +<p>Such worship of war that his kin and well-willers</p> +<p>Well hearken'd his will till the younglings were waxen,</p> +<p>A kin-host a many. Then into his mind ran</p> +<p>That he would be building for him now a hall-house,</p> +<p>That men should be making a mead-hall more mighty</p> +<span class = "linenum">70</span> +<p>Than the children of ages had ever heard tell of:</p> +<p>And there within eke should he be out-dealing</p> +<p>To young and to old all things God had given,</p> +<p>Save the share of the folk and the life-days of men.</p> +<p>Then heard I that widely the work was +<a name = "abanning" id = "abanning">a-banning</a></p> +<p>To kindreds a many the Middle-garth over</p> +<p>To fret o'er that folk-stead. So befell to him timely</p> +<p>Right soon among men that made was it yarely</p> +<p>The most of hall-houses, and Hart its name shap'd he,</p> +<p>Who wielded his word full widely around.</p> +<span class = "linenum">80</span> +<p>His behest he belied not; it was he dealt the rings,</p> +<p>The wealth at the high-tide. Then up rose the hall-house,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">6</span> +<a name = "page6" id = "page6"> </a> +<p>High up and horn-gabled. Hot surges it bided</p> +<a name = "line83" id = "line83"> </a> +<p>Of fire-flame the loathly, nor long was it thenceforth</p> +<p>Ere sorely the edge-hate 'twixt Son and Wife's Father</p> +<p>After the slaughter-strife there should awaken.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then the ghost heavy-strong bore with it hardly</p> +<p>E'en for a while of time, bider in darkness,</p> +<p>That there on each day of days heard he the mirth-tide</p> +<p>Loud in the hall-house. There was the harp's voice,</p> +<span class = "linenum">90</span> +<p>And clear song of shaper. Said he who could it</p> +<p>To tell the first fashion of men from aforetime;</p> +<p>Quoth how the Almighty One made the Earth's fashion,</p> +<p>The fair field and bright midst the bow of the Waters,</p> +<p>And with victory beglory'd set Sun and Moon,</p> +<p>Bright beams to enlighten the biders on land:</p> +<p>And how he adorned all parts of the earth</p> +<p>With limbs and with leaves; and life withal shaped</p> +<p>For the kindred of each thing that quick on earth wendeth.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +So liv'd on all happy the host of the kinsmen</p> +<span class = "linenum">100</span> +<p>In game and in glee, until one wight began,</p> +<p>A fiend out of hell-pit, the framing of evil,</p> +<p>And Grendel forsooth the grim guest was hight,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">7</span> +<a name = "page7" id = "page7"> </a> +<p>The mighty mark-strider, the holder of moorland,</p> +<p>The fen and the fastness. The stead of the fifel</p> +<p>That wight all unhappy a while of time warded,</p> +<p>Sithence that the Shaper him had for-written.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +On the kindred of Cain the Lord living ever</p> +<p>Awreaked the murder of the slaying of Abel.</p> +<p>In that feud he rejoic'd not, but afar him He banish'd,</p> +<span class = "linenum">110</span> +<p>The Maker, from mankind for the crime he had wrought.</p> +<p>But offspring uncouth thence were they awoken</p> +<p>Eotens and elf-wights, and ogres of ocean,</p> +<p>And therewith the Giants, who won war against God</p> +<p>A long while; but He gave them their wages therefor.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapIII" id = "chapIII"> +III. HOW GRENDEL FELL UPON HART AND WASTED IT.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Now</span> +went he a-spying, when come was the night-tide,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The house on high builded, and how there the Ring-Danes</p> +<p>Their beer-drinking over had boune them to bed;</p> +<p>And therein he found them, the atheling fellows,</p> +<p>Asleep after feasting. Then sorrow they knew not</p> +<span class = "pagenum">8</span> +<a name = "page8" id = "page8"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">120</span> +<p>Nor the woe of mankind: but the wight of wealth's waning,</p> +<p>The grim and the greedy, soon yare was he gotten,</p> +<p>All furious and fierce, and he raught up from resting</p> +<p>A thirty of thanes, and thence aback got him</p> +<p>Right fain of his gettings, and homeward to fare,</p> +<p>Fulfilled of slaughter his stead to go look on.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Thereafter at dawning, when day was yet early,</p> +<p>The war-craft of Grendel to men grew unhidden,</p> +<p>And after his meal was the weeping uphoven,</p> +<p>Mickle voice of the morning-tide: there the Prince mighty,</p> +<span class = "linenum">130</span> +<p>The Atheling exceeding good, unblithe he sat,</p> +<p>Tholing the heavy woe; thane-sorrow dreed he</p> +<p>Since the slot of the loathly wight there they had look'd on,</p> +<p>The ghost all accursed. O'er grisly the strife was,</p> +<p>So loathly and longsome. No longer the frist was</p> +<p>But after the wearing of one night; then fram'd he</p> +<p>Murder-bales more yet, and nowise he mourned</p> +<p>The feud and the crime; over fast therein was he.</p> +<p>Then easy to find was the man who would elsewhere</p> +<p>Seek out for himself a rest was more roomsome,</p> +<p>Beds <span class = "linenum">140</span> +end-long the bowers, when beacon'd to him was,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">9</span> +<a name = "page9" id = "page9"> </a> +<p>And soothly out told by manifest token,</p> +<p>The hate of the hell-thane. He held himself sithence</p> +<p>Further and faster who from the fiend gat him.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +In such wise he rul'd it and wrought against right,</p> +<p>But one against all, until idle was standing</p> +<p>The best of hall-houses; and mickle the while was,</p> +<p>Twelve winter-tides' wearing; and trouble he tholed,</p> +<p>That friend of the Scyldings, of woes every one</p> +<p>And wide-spreading sorrows: for sithence it fell</p> +<span class = "linenum">150</span> +<p>That unto men's children unbidden 'twas known</p> +<p>Full sadly in singing, that Grendel won war</p> +<p>'Gainst Hrothgar a while of time, hate-envy waging,</p> +<p>And crime-guilts and feud for seasons no few,</p> +<p>And strife without stinting. For the sake of no kindness</p> +<p>Unto any of men of the main-host of Dane-folk</p> +<p>Would he thrust off the life-bale, or by fee-gild allay it,</p> +<p>Nor was there a wise man that needed to ween</p> +<p>The bright <a name = "boot" id = "boot">boot</a> to have at the hand of the slayer.</p> +<p>The monster the fell one afflicted them sorely,</p> +<span class = "linenum">160</span> +<p>That death-shadow darksome the doughty and youthful</p> +<span class = "pagenum">10</span> +<a name = "page10" id = "page10"> </a> +<p>Enfettered, ensnared; night by night was he faring</p> +<p>The moorlands the misty. But never know men</p> +<p>Of spell-workers of Hell to and fro where they wander.</p> +<p>So crime-guilts a many the foeman of mankind,</p> +<p>The fell alone-farer, fram'd oft and full often,</p> +<p>Cruel hard shames and wrongful, and Hart he abode in,</p> +<p>The treasure-stain'd hall, in the dark of the night-tide;</p> +<p>But never the gift-stool therein might he greet,</p> +<p>The treasure before the Creator he trow'd not.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">170</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Mickle wrack was it soothly for the friend of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>Yea heart and mood breaking. Now sat there a many</p> +<p>Of the mighty in rune, and won them the rede</p> +<p>Of what thing for the strong-soul'd were best of all things</p> +<p>Which yet they might frame 'gainst the fear and the horror.</p> +<p>And whiles they behight them at the shrines of the heathen</p> +<p>To worship the idols; and pray'd they in words,</p> +<p>That he, the ghost-slayer, would frame for them helping</p> +<span class = "pagenum">11</span> +<a name = "page11" id = "page11"> </a> +<p>'Gainst the folk-threats and evil So far'd they their wont,</p> +<p>The hope of the heathen; nor hell they remember'd</p> +<p>In <span class = "linenum">180</span> +mood and in mind. And the Maker they knew not,</p> +<p>The Doomer of deeds: nor of God the Lord wist they,</p> +<p>Nor the Helm of the Heavens knew aught how to hery,</p> +<p>The Wielder of Glory. Woe worth unto that man</p> +<p>Who through hatred the baneful his soul shall shove into</p> +<p>The fire's embrace; nought of fostering weens he,</p> +<p>Nor of changing one whit. But well is he soothly</p> +<p>That after the death-day shall seek to the Lord,</p> +<p>In the breast of the Father all peace ever craving.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapIV" id = "chapIV"> +IV. NOW COMES BEOWULF ECGTHEOW’S SON TO THE LAND OF THE DANES, +AND THE WALL-WARDEN SPEAKETH WITH HIM.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">So</span> +care that was time-long the kinsman of Healfdene</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +<span class = "linenum">190</span> +Still seeth'd without ceasing, nor might the wise warrior</p> +<p>Wend otherwhere woe, for o'er strong was the strife</p> +<span class = "pagenum">12</span> +<a name = "page12" id = "page12"> </a> +<p>All loathly so longsome late laid on the people,</p> +<p>Need-wrack and grim <a name = "nithing" id = "nithing">nithing</a>, +of night-bales the greatest.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now that from his home heard the Hygelac's thane,</p> +<p>Good midst of the Geat-folk; of Grendel's deeds heard he.</p> +<p>But he was of mankind of might and main mightiest</p> +<p>In the day that we tell of, the day of this life,</p> +<p>All noble, strong-waxen. He bade a wave-wearer</p> +<p>Right good to be gear'd him, and quoth he that the war-king</p> +<p>Over <span class = "linenum">200</span> +the swan-road he would be seeking,</p> +<p>The folk-lord far-famed, since lack of men had he.</p> +<p>Forsooth of that faring the carles wiser-fashion'd</p> +<p>Laid little blame on him, though lief to them was he;</p> +<p>The heart-hardy whetted they, heeded the omen.</p> +<p>There had the good one, e'en he of the Geat-folk,</p> +<p>Champions out-chosen of them that he keenest</p> +<p>Might find for his needs; and he then the fifteenth,</p> +<p>Sought to the sound-wood. A swain thereon show'd him,</p> +<p>A sea-crafty man, all the make of the land-marks.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">13</span> +<a name = "page13" id = "page13"> </a> + +<span class = "linenum">210</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Wore then a while, on the waves was the floater,</p> +<p>The boat under the berg, and yare then the warriors</p> +<p>Strode up on the stem; the streams were a-winding</p> +<p>The sea 'gainst the sands. Upbore the swains then</p> +<p>Up into the bark's barm the bright-fretted weapons,</p> +<p>The war-array stately; then out the lads shov'd her,</p> +<p>The folk on the welcome way shov'd out the wood-bound.</p> +<p>Then by the wind driven out o'er the wave-holm</p> +<p>Far'd the foamy-neck'd floater most like to a fowl,</p> +<p>Till when was the same tide of the second day's wearing</p> +<span class = "linenum">220</span> +<p>The wound-about-stemm'd one had waded her way,</p> +<p>So that then they that sail'd her had sight of the land,</p> +<p>Bleak shine of the sea-cliffs, bergs steep up above,</p> +<p>Sea-nesses wide reaching; the sound was won over,</p> +<p>The sea-way was ended: then up ashore swiftly</p> +<a name = "line225" id = "line225"> </a> +<p>The band of the Weder-folk up on earth wended;</p> +<p>They bound up the sea-wood, their sarks on them rattled,</p> +<p>Their weed of the battle, and God there they thanked</p> +<p>For that easy the wave-ways were waxen unto them.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">14</span> +<a name = "page14" id = "page14"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +But now from the wall saw the Scylding-folks' warder,</p> +<span class = "linenum">230</span> +<p>E'en he whom the holm-cliffs should ever be holding,</p> +<p>Men bear o'er the gangway the bright shields a-shining,</p> +<p>Folk-host gear all ready. Then mind-longing wore him,</p> +<p>And stirr'd up his mood to wot who were the men-folk.</p> +<p>So shoreward down far'd he his fair steed a-riding,</p> +<p>Hrothgar's Thane, and full strongly then set he a-quaking</p> +<p>The stark wood in his hands, and in council-speech speer'd he:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +What men be ye then of them that have war-gear,</p> +<p>With byrnies bewarded, who the keel high up-builded</p> +<p>Over the Lake-street thus have come leading.</p> +<span class = "linenum">240</span> +<p>Hither o'er holm-ways hieing in ring-stem?</p> +<p>End-sitter was I, a-holding the sea-ward,</p> +<p>That the land of the Dane-folk none of the loathly</p> +<p>Faring with ship-horde ever might scathe it.</p> +<p>None yet have been seeking more openly hither</p> +<p>Of shield-havers than ye, and ye of the leave-word</p> +<p>Of the framers of war naught at all wotting,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">15</span> +<a name = "page15" id = "page15"> </a> +<p>Or the manners of kinsmen. But no man of earls greater</p> +<p>Saw I ever on earth than one of you yonder,</p> +<p>The warrior in war-gear: no hall-man, so ween I,</p> +<span class = "linenum">250</span> +<p>Is that weapon-beworthy'd, but his visage belie him,</p> +<p>The sight seen once only. Now I must be wotting</p> +<p>The spring of your kindred ere further ye cast ye,</p> +<p>And let loose your false spies in the Dane-land a-faring</p> +<p>Yet further afield. So now, ye far-dwellers,</p> +<p>Ye wenders o'er sea-flood, this word do ye hearken</p> +<p>Of my one-folded thought: and haste is the handiest</p> +<p>To do me to wit of whence is your coming.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapV" id = "chapV"> +V. HERE BEOWULF MAKES ANSWER TO THE LAND-WARDEN, +WHO SHOWETH HIM THE WAY TO THE KING’S ABODE.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">He</span> +then that was chiefest in thus wise he answer'd,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The war-fellows' leader unlock'd he the word-hoard:</p> +<span class = "linenum">260</span> +<p>We be a people of the Weder-Geats' man-kin</p> +<span class = "pagenum">16</span> +<a name = "page16" id = "page16"> </a> +<p>And of Hygelac be we the hearth-fellows soothly.</p> +<p>My father before me of folks was well-famed</p> +<p>Van-leader and atheling, Ecgtheow he hight.</p> +<p>Many winters abode he, and on the way wended</p> +<p>An old man from the garths, and him well remembers</p> +<p>Every wise man well nigh wide yond o'er the earth.</p> +<p>Through our lief mood and friendly the lord that is thine,</p> +<a name = "line268" id = "line268"> </a> +<p>Even Healfdene's son, are we now come a-seeking,</p> +<p>Thy warder of folk. Learn us well with thy leading,</p> +<span class = "linenum">270</span> +<p>For we have to the mighty an errand full mickle,</p> +<p>To the lord of the Dane-folk: naught dark shall it be,</p> +<p>That ween I full surely. If it be so thou wottest,</p> +<p>As soothly for our parts we now have heard say,</p> +<p>That one midst of the Scyldings, who of scathers I wot not,</p> +<p>A deed-hater secret, in the dark of the night-tide</p> +<p>Setteth forth through the terror the malice untold of,</p> +<p>The shame-wrong and slaughter. I therefore to Hrothgar</p> +<p>Through my mind fashion'd roomsome the rede may now learn him,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">17</span> +<a name = "page17" id = "page17"> </a> +<p>How he, old-wise and good, may get the fiend under,</p> +<span class = "linenum">280</span> +<p>If once more from him awayward may turn</p> +<p>The business of bales, and the boot come again,</p> +<p>And the weltering of care wax cooler once more;</p> +<p>Or for ever sithence time of stress he shall thole,</p> +<p>The need and the wronging, the while yet there abideth</p> +<p>On the high stead aloft the best of all houses.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then spake out the warden on steed there a-sitting,</p> +<p>The servant all un-fear'd: It shall be of either</p> +<p>That the shield-warrior sharp the sundering wotteth,</p> +<p>Of words and of works, if he think thereof well.</p> +<span class = "linenum">290</span> +<p>I hear it thus said that this host here is friendly</p> +<p>To the lord of the Scyldings; forth fare ye then, bearing</p> +<p>Your weed and your weapons, of the way will I wise you;</p> +<p>Likewise mine own kinsmen I will now be bidding</p> +<p>Against every foeman your floater before us,</p> +<p>Your craft but new-tarred, the keel on the sand,</p> +<p>With honour to hold, until back shall be bearing</p> +<p>Over the lake-streams this one, the lief man,</p> +<a name = "line298" id = "line298"> </a> +<p>The wood of the wounden-neck back unto Wedermark.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">18</span> +<a name = "page18" id = "page18"> </a> +<p>Unto such shall be granted amongst the good-doers</p> +<span class = "linenum">300</span> +<p>To win the way out all whole from the war-race.</p> +<p>Then <a name = "boun" id = "boun">boun</a> +they to faring, the bark biding quiet;</p> +<p>Hung upon hawser the wide-fathom'd ship</p> +<p>Fast at her anchor. Forth shone the boar-shapes</p> +<p>Over the check-guards golden adorned,</p> +<p>Fair-shifting, fire-hard; ward held the farrow.</p> +<p>Snorted the war-moody, hasten'd the warriors</p> +<p>And trod down together until the hall timbered,</p> +<p>Stately and gold-bestain'd, gat they to look on,</p> +<p>That was the all-mightiest unto earth's dwellers</p> +<span class = "linenum">310</span> +<p>Of halls 'neath the heavens, wherein bode the mighty;</p> +<p>Glisten'd the gleam thereof o'er lands a many.</p> +<p>Unto them then the war-deer the court of the proud one</p> +<p>Full clearly betaught it, that they therewithal</p> +<p>Might wend their ways thither. Then he of the warriors</p> +<p>Round wended his steed, and spake a word backward:</p> +<p>Time now for my faring; but the Father All-wielder</p> +<p>May He with all helping henceforward so hold you</p> +<p>All whole in your wayfaring. Will I to sea-side</p> +<p>Against the wroth folk to hold warding ever.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">19</span> +<a name = "page19" id = "page19"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapVI" id = "chapVI"> +VI. BEOWULF AND THE GEATS COME INTO HART.</a></h4> + + +<span class = "linenum">320</span> +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Stone-diverse</span> +the street was, straight uplong the path led</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The warriors together. There shone the war-byrny</p> +<p>The hard and the hand-lock'd; the ring-iron sheer</p> +<p>Sang over their war-gear, when they to the hall first</p> +<p>In their gear the all-fearful had gat them to ganging.</p> +<p>So then the sea-weary their wide shields set down,</p> +<p>Their war-rounds the mighty, against the hall's wall.</p> +<p>Then bow'd they to bench, and rang there the byrnies,</p> +<p>The war-weed of warriors, and up-stood the spears,</p> +<p>The war-gear of the sea-folk all gather'd together.</p> +<span class = "linenum">330</span> +<p>The ash-holt grey-headed; that host of the iron</p> +<p>With weapons was worshipful. There then a proud chief</p> +<p>Of those lads of the battle speer'd after their line:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Whence ferry ye then the shields golden-faced,</p> +<p>The grey sarks therewith, and the helms all bevisor'd,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">20</span> +<a name = "page20" id = "page20"> </a> +<p>And a heap of the war-shafts? Now am I of Hrothgar</p> +<p>The man and the messenger: ne'er saw I of aliens</p> +<p>So many of men more might-like of mood.</p> +<p>I ween that for pride-sake, no wise for wrack-wending</p> +<p>But for high might of mind, ye to Hrothgar have sought.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">340</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Unto him then the heart-hardy answer'd and spake,</p> +<p>The proud earl of the Weders the word gave aback,</p> +<p>The hardy neath helm: Now of Hygelac are we</p> +<p>The board-fellows; Beowulf e'en is my name,</p> +<p>And word will I say unto Healfdene's son,</p> +<p>To the mighty, the folk-lord, what errand is mine,</p> +<p>Yea unto thy lord, if to us he will grant it</p> +<p>That him, who so good is, anon we may greet.</p> + +<a name = "line348" id = "line348"> </a> +<p class = "inset"> +Spake Wulfgar the word, a lord of the Wendels,</p> +<p>And the mood of his heart of a many was kenned,</p> +<span class = "linenum">350</span> +<p>His war and his wisdom: I therefore the Danes' friend</p> +<p>Will lightly be asking, of the lord of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>The dealer of rings, since the boon thou art bidding,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">21</span> +<a name = "page21" id = "page21"> </a> +<p>The mighty folk-lord, concerning thine errand,</p> +<p>And swiftly the answer shall do thee to wit</p> +<p>Which the good one to give thee aback may deem meetest.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then turn'd he in haste to where Hrothgar was sitting</p> +<p>Right old and all hoary mid the host of his earl-folk:</p> +<p>Went the valour-stark; stood he the shoulders before</p> +<p>Of the Dane-lord: well could he the doughty ones' custom.</p> +<span class = "linenum">360</span> +<p>So Wulfgar spake forth to his lord the well-friendly:</p> +<p>Hither are ferry'd now, come from afar off</p> +<p>O'er the field of the ocean, a folk of the Geats;</p> +<p>These men of the battle e'en Beowulf name they</p> +<p>Their elder and chiefest, and to thee are they bidding</p> +<p>That they, O dear lord, with thee may be dealing</p> +<p>In word against word. Now win them no naysay</p> +<p>Of thy speech again-given, O Hrothgar the glad-man:</p> +<p>For they in their war-gear, methinketh, be worthy</p> +<p>Of good deeming of earls; and forsooth naught but doughty</p> +<span class = "linenum">370</span> +<p>Is he who hath led o'er the warriors hither.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">22</span> +<a name = "page22" id = "page22"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapVII" id = "chapVII"> +VII. BEOWULF SPEAKETH WITH HROTHGAR, AND TELLETH HOW HE WILL MEET GRENDEL.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Word</span> +then gave out Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +I knew him in sooth when he was but a youngling,</p> +<a name = "line373" id = "line373"> </a> +<p>And his father, the old man, was Ecgtheow hight;</p> +<a name = "line374" id = "line374"> </a> +<p>Unto whom at his home gave Hrethel the Geat-lord</p> +<p>His one only daughter; and now hath his offspring</p> +<p>All hardy come hither a lief lord to seek him.</p> +<p>For that word they spake then, the sea-faring men,</p> +<p>E'en they who the gift-seat for the Geat-folk had ferry'd,</p> +<p>Brought thither for thanks, that of thirty of menfolk</p> +<span class = "linenum">380</span> +<p>The craft of might hath he within his own handgrip,</p> +<p>That war-strong of men. Now him holy God</p> +<p>For kind help hath sent off here even to us,</p> +<p>We men of the West Danes, as now I have weening,</p> +<p>'Gainst the terror of Grendel. So I to that good one</p> +<span class = "pagenum">23</span> +<a name = "page23" id = "page23"> </a> +<p>For his mighty mood-daring shall the dear treasure bid.</p> +<p>Haste now and be speedy, and bid them in straightway,</p> +<p>The kindred-band gather'd together, to see us,</p> +<p>And in words say thou eke that they be well comen</p> +<p>To the folk of the Danes. To the door of the hall then</p> +<span class = "linenum">390</span> +<p>Went Wulfgar, and words withinward he flitted:</p> +<p>He bade me to say you, my lord of fair battle,</p> +<p>The elder of East-Danes, that he your blood knoweth,</p> +<p>And that unto him are ye the sea-surges over,</p> +<p>Ye lads hardy-hearted, well come to land hither;</p> +<p>And now may ye wend you all in war-raiment</p> +<p>Under the battle-mask Hrothgar to see.</p> +<p>But here let your battle-boards yet be abiding,</p> +<p>With your war-weed and slaughter-shafts, issue of words.</p> +<p>Then rose up the rich one, much warriors around him,</p> +<span class = "linenum">400</span> +<p>Chosen heap of the thanes, but there some abided</p> +<p>The war-gear to hold, as the wight one was bidding.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">24</span> +<a name = "page24" id = "page24"> </a> +<p>Swift went they together, as the warrior there led them,</p> +<p>Under Hart's roof: went the stout-hearted,</p> +<p>The hardy neath helm, till he stood by the high-seat.</p> +<p>Then Beowulf spake out, on him shone the byrny,</p> +<p>His war-net besown by the wiles of the smith:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Hail to thee, Hrothgar! I am of Hygelac</p> +<p>Kinsman and folk-thane; fair deeds have I many</p> +<p>Begun in my youth-tide, and this matter of Grendel</p> +<span class = "linenum">410</span> +<p>On the turf of mine own land undarkly I knew.</p> +<p>'Tis the seafarers' say that standeth this hall,</p> +<p>The best house forsooth, for each one of warriors</p> +<p>All idle and useless, after the even-light</p> +<p>Under the heaven-loft hidden becometh.</p> +<p>Then lightly they learn'd me, my people, this lore,</p> +<p>E'en the best that there be of the wise of the churls,</p> +<p>O Hrothgar the kingly, that thee should I seek to,</p> +<p>Whereas of the might of my craft were they cunning;</p> +<p>For they saw me when came I from out of my wargear,</p> +<span class = "linenum">420</span> +<p>Blood-stain'd from the foe whenas five had I bounden,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">25</span> +<a name = "page25" id = "page25"> </a> +<p>Quell'd the kin of the eotens, and in the wave slain</p> +<p>The nicors by night-tide: strait need then I bore,</p> +<p>Wreak'd the grief of the Weders, the woe they had gotten;</p> +<p>I ground down the wrathful; and now against Grendel</p> +<p>I here with the dread one alone shall be dooming,</p> +<p>In Thing with the giant. I now then with thee,</p> +<p>O lord of the bright Danes, will fall to my bidding,</p> +<p>O berg of Scyldings, and bid thee one boon,</p> +<p>Which, O refuge of warriors, gainsay me not now,</p> +<span class = "linenum">430</span> +<p>Since, O free friend of folks, from afar have I come,</p> +<p>That I alone, I and my band of the earls,</p> +<p>This hard heap of men, may cleanse Hart of ill.</p> +<p>This eke have I heard say, that he, the fell monster,</p> +<p>In his wan-heed recks nothing of weapons of war;</p> +<p>Forgo I this therefore (if so be that Hygelac</p> +<p>Will still be my man-lord, and he blithe of mood)</p> +<p>To bear the sword with me, or bear the broad shield,</p> +<p>Yellow-round to the battle; but with naught save the hand-grip</p> +<span class = "pagenum">26</span> +<a name = "page26" id = "page26"> </a> +<p>With the foe shall I grapple, and grope for the life</p> +<span class = "linenum">440</span> +<p>The loathly with loathly. There he shall believe</p> +<p>In the doom of the Lord whom death then shall take.</p> +<p>Now ween I that he, if he may wield matters,</p> +<p>E'en there in the war-hall the folk of the Geats</p> +<p>Shall eat up unafear'd, as oft he hath done it</p> +<a name = "line445" id = "line445"> </a> +<p>With the might of the Hrethmen: no need for thee therefore</p> +<p>My head to be hiding; for me will he have</p> +<p>With gore all bestain'd, if the death of men get me;</p> +<p>He will bear off my bloody corpse minded to taste it;</p> +<p>Unmournfully then will the Lone-goer eat it,</p> +<span class = "linenum">450</span> +<p>Will blood-mark the moor-ways; for the meat of my body</p> +<p>Naught needest thou henceforth in any wise grieve thee.</p> +<p>But send thou to Hygelac, if the war have me,</p> +<p>The best of all war-shrouds that now my breast wardeth,</p> +<a name = "line454" id = "line454"> </a> +<p>The goodliest of railings, the good gift of Hrethel,</p> +<a name = "line455" id = "line455"> </a> +<p>The hand-work of Weland. Weird wends as she willeth.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">27</span> +<a name = "page27" id = "page27"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapVIII" id = "chapVIII"> +VIII. HROTHGAR ANSWERETH BEOWULF AND BIDDETH HIM SIT TO THE FEAST.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Spake</span> +out then Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Thou Beowulf, friend mine, for battle that wardeth</p> +<p>And for help that is kindly hast sought to us hither.</p> +<p>Fought down thy father the most of all feuds;</p> +<span class = "linenum">460</span> +<a name = "line460" id = "line460"> </a> +<p>To Heatholaf was he forsooth for a hand-bane</p> +<p>Amidst of the Wylfings. The folk of the Weders</p> +<p>Him for the war-dread that while might not hold.</p> +<a name = "line463" id = "line463"> </a> +<p>So thence did he seek to the folk of the South-Danes</p> +<p>O'er the waves' wallow, to the Scyldings be-worshipped.</p> +<p>Then first was I wielding the weal of the Dane-folk,</p> +<p>That time was I holding in youth-tide the gem-rich</p> +<a name = "line467" id = "line467"> </a> +<p>Hoard-burg of the heroes. Dead then was Heorogar,</p> +<p>Mine elder of brethren; unliving was he,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">28</span> +<a name = "page28" id = "page28"> </a> +<p>The Healfdene's bairn that was better than I.</p> +<span class = "linenum">470</span> +<p>That feud then thereafter with fee did I settle;</p> +<p>I sent to the Wylfing folk over the waters' back</p> +<p>Treasures of old time; he swore the oaths to me.</p> +<p>Sorrow is in my mind that needs must I say it</p> +<p>To any of grooms, of Grendel what hath he</p> +<p>Of shaming in Hart, and he with his hate-wiles</p> +<p>Of sudden harms framed; the host of my hall-floor,</p> +<p>The war-heap, is waned; Weird swept them away</p> +<p>Into horror of Grendel. It is God now that may lightly</p> +<p>The scather the doltish from deeds thrust aside.</p> +<span class = "linenum">480</span> +<p>Full oft have they boasted with beer well bedrunken,</p> +<p>My men of the battle all over the ale-stoup,</p> +<p>That they in the beer-hall would yet be abiding</p> +<p>The onset of Grendel with the terror of edges.</p> +<p>But then was this mead-hall in the tide of the morning,</p> +<p>This warrior-hall, gore-stain'd when day at last gleamed,</p> +<p>All the boards of the benches with blood besteam'd over,</p> +<p>The hall laid with sword-gore: of lieges less had I</p> +<span class = "pagenum">29</span> +<a name = "page29" id = "page29"> </a> +<p>Of dear and of doughty, for them death had gotten.</p> +<p>Now sit thou to feast and unbind thy mood freely,</p> +<span class = "linenum">490</span> +<p>Thy war-fame unto men as the mind of thee whetteth.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then was for the Geat-folk and them all together</p> +<p>There in the beer-hall a bench bedight roomsome,</p> +<p>There the stout-hearted hied them to sitting</p> +<p>Proud in their might: a thane minded the service,</p> +<p>Who in hand upbare an ale-stoup adorned,</p> +<p>Skinked the sheer mead; whiles sang the shaper</p> +<p>Clear out in Hart-hall; joy was of warriors,</p> +<p>Men doughty no little of Danes and of Weders.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapIX" id = "chapIX"> +IX. UNFERTH CONTENDETH IN WORDS WITH BEOWULF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Spake</span> +out then Unferth that bairn was of Ecglaf,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +<span class = "linenum">500</span> +And he sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>He unbound the battle-rune; was Beowulf's faring,</p> +<p>Of him the proud mere-farer, mickle unliking,</p> +<p>Whereas he begrudg'd it of any man other</p> +<span class = "pagenum">30</span> +<a name = "page30" id = "page30"> </a> +<p>That he glories more mighty the middle-garth over</p> +<p>Should hold under heaven than he himself held:</p> + +<a name = "line506" id = "line506"> </a> +<p class = "inset"> +Art thou that Beowulf who won strife with Breca</p> +<p>On the wide sea contending in swimming,</p> +<p>When ye two for pride's sake search'd out the floods</p> +<p>And for a dolt's cry into deep water</p> +<span class = "linenum">510</span> +<p>Thrust both your life-days? No man the twain of you,</p> +<p>Lief or loth were he, might lay wyte to stay you</p> +<p>Your sorrowful journey, when on the sea row'd ye;</p> +<p>Then when the ocean-stream ye with your arms deck'd,</p> +<p>Meted the mere-streets, there your hands brandish'd!</p> +<p>O'er the Spearman ye glided; the sea with waves welter'd,</p> +<p>The surge of the winter. Ye twain in the waves' might</p> +<p>For a seven nights swink'd. He outdid thee in swimming,</p> +<p>And the more was his might; but him in the morn-tide</p> +<p>To the Heatho-Remes' land the holm bore ashore.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">31</span> +<a name = "page31" id = "page31"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">520</span> +<p>And thence away sought he to his dear land and lovely,</p> +<a name = "line521" id = "line521"> </a> +<p>The lief to his people sought the land of the Brondings,</p> +<p>The fair burg peace-warding, where he the folk owned,</p> +<p>The burg and the gold rings. What to theeward he boasted,</p> +<a name = "line524" id = "line524"> </a> +<p>Beanstan's son, for thee soothly he brought it about.</p> +<p>Now ween I for thee things worser than erewhile,</p> +<p>Though thou in the war-race wert everywhere doughty,</p> +<p>In the grim war, if thou herein Grendel darest</p> +<p>Night-long for a while of time nigh to abide.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then Beowulf spake out, the Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<span class = "linenum">530</span> +<p>What! thou no few of things, O Unferth my friend,</p> +<p>And thou drunken with beer, about Breca hast spoken,</p> +<p>Saidest out of his journey; so the sooth now I tell:</p> +<p>To wit, that the more might ever I owned,</p> +<p>Hard wearing on wave more than any man else.</p> +<p>We twain then, we quoth it, while yet we were younglings,</p> +<p>And we boasted between us, the twain of us being yet</p> +<span class = "pagenum">32</span> +<a name = "page32" id = "page32"> </a> +<p>In our youth-days, that we out onto the Spearman</p> +<p>Our lives would adventure; and e'en so we wrought It.</p> +<p>We had a sword naked, when on the sound row'd we,</p> +<span class = "linenum">540</span> +<p>Hard in hand, as we twain against the whale-fishes</p> +<p>Had mind to be warding us. No whit from me</p> +<p>In the waves of the sea-flood afar might he float</p> +<p>The hastier in holm, nor would I from him hie me.</p> +<p>Then we two together, we were in the sea</p> +<p>For a five nights, till us twain the flood drave asunder,</p> +<p>The weltering of waves. Then the coldest of weathers</p> +<p>In the dusking of night and the wind from the northward</p> +<p>Battle-grim turn'd against us, rough grown were the billows.</p> +<p>Of the mere-fishes then was the mood all up-stirred;</p> +<span class = "linenum">550</span> +<p>There me 'gainst the loathly the body-sark mine,</p> +<p>The hard and the hand-lock'd, was framing me help,</p> +<p>My battle-rail braided, it lay on my breast</p> +<p>Gear'd graithly with gold. But me to the ground tugg'd</p> +<p>A foe and fiend-scather; fast he had me In hold</p> +<span class = "pagenum">33</span> +<a name = "page33" id = "page33"> </a> +<p>That grim one in grip: yet to me was it given.</p> +<p>That the wretch there, the monster, with point might I reach,</p> +<p>With my bill of the battle, and the war-race off bore</p> +<p>The mighty mere-beast through the hand that was mine.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapX" id = "chapX"> +X. BEOWULF MAKES AN END OF HIS TALE OF THE SWIMMING. +WEALHTHEOW, HROTHGAR’S QUEEN, GREETS HIM; +AND HROTHGAR DELIVERS TO HIM THE WARDING OF THE HALL.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Thus</span> +oft and oft over the doers of evil</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +<span class = "linenum">560</span> +They threatened me hard; thane-service I did them</p> +<p>With the dear sword of mine, as forsooth it was meet,</p> +<p>That nowise of their fill did they win them the joy</p> +<p>The evil fordoers in swallowing me down,</p> +<p>Sitting round at the feast nigh the ground of the sea.</p> +<p>Yea rather, a morning-tide, mangled by sword-edge</p> +<p>Along the waves' leaving up there did they lie</p> +<p>Lull'd asleep with the sword, so that never sithence</p> +<span class = "pagenum">34</span> +<a name = "page34" id = "page34"> </a> +<p>About the deep floods for the farers o'er ocean</p> +<p>The way have they letted. Came the light from the eastward,</p> +<span class = "linenum">570</span> +<p>The bright beacon of God, and grew the seas calm,</p> +<p>So that the sea-nesses now might I look on,</p> +<p>The windy walls. Thuswise Weird oft will be saving</p> +<p>The earl that is unfey, when his valour availeth.</p> +<p>Whatever, it happ'd me that I with the sword slew</p> +<p>Nicors nine. Never heard I of fighting a night-tide</p> +<p>'Neath the vault of the heavens was harder than that,</p> +<p>Nor yet on the sea-streams of woefuller wight.</p> +<p>Whatever, forth won I with life from the foes' clutch</p> +<p>All of wayfaring weary. But me the sea upbore,</p> +<span class = "linenum">580</span> +<p>The flood downlong the tide with the weltering of waters,</p> +<p>All onto the Finnland. No whit of thee ever</p> +<p>Mid such strife of the battle-gear have I heard say,</p> +<p>Such terrors of bills. Nor never yet Breca</p> +<p>In the play of the battle, nor both you, nor either,</p> +<p>So dearly the deeds have framed forsooth</p> +<p>With the bright flashing swords; though of this naught I boast me.</p> +<a name = "line587" id = "line587"> </a> +<p>But thou of thy brethren the banesman becamest,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">35</span> +<a name = "page35" id = "page35"> </a> +<p>Yea thine head-kin forsooth, for which in hell shalt thou</p> +<p>Dree weird of damnation, though doughty thy wit be;</p> +<span class = "linenum">590</span> +<p>For unto thee say I forsooth, son of Ecglaf,</p> +<p>That so many deeds never Grendel had done,</p> +<p>That monster the loathly, against thine own lord,</p> +<p>The shaming in Hart-hall, if suchwise thy mind were,</p> +<p>And thy soul e'en as battle-fierce, such as thou sayest.</p> +<p>But he, he hath fram'd it that the feud he may heed not,</p> +<p>The fearful edge-onset that is of thy folk,</p> +<p>Nor sore need be fearful of the Victory-Scyldings.</p> +<p>The need-pledges taketh he, no man he spareth</p> +<p>Of the folk of the Danes, driveth war as he lusteth,</p> +<span class = "linenum">600</span> +<p>Slayeth and feasteth unweening of strife</p> +<p>With them of the Spear-Danes. But I, I shall show it,</p> +<p>The Geats' wightness and might ere the time weareth old,</p> +<p>Shall bide him in war-tide. Then let him go who may go</p> +<p>High-hearted to mead, sithence when the morn-light</p> +<p>O'er the children of men of the second day hence,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">36</span> +<a name = "page36" id = "page36"> </a> +<p>The sun clad in heaven's air, shines from the southward.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then merry of heart was the meter of treasures,</p> +<p>The hoary-man'd war-renown'd, help now he trow'd in;</p> +<p>The lord of the Bright-Danes on Beowulf hearken'd,</p> +<span class = "linenum">610</span> +<p>The folk-shepherd knew him, his fast-ready mind.</p> +<p>There was laughter of heroes, and high the din rang</p> +<p>And winsome the words were. Went Wealhtheow forth,</p> +<p>The Queen she of Hrothgar, of courtesies mindful,</p> +<p>The gold-array'd greeted the grooms in the hall,</p> +<p>The free and frank woman the beaker there wended,</p> +<p>And first to the East-Dane-folk's fatherland's warder,</p> +<p>And bade him be blithe at the drinking of beer,</p> +<p>To his people beloved, and lustily took he</p> +<p>The feast and the hall-cup, that victory-fam'd King.</p> +<span class = "linenum">620</span> +<a name = "line620" id = "line620"> </a> +<p>Then round about went she, the Dame of the Helmings,</p> +<p>And to doughty and youngsome, each deal of the folk there,</p> +<p>Gave cups of the treasure, till now it betid</p> +<p>That to Beowulf duly the Queen the ring-dighted,</p> +<p>Of mind high uplifted, the mead-beaker bare.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">37</span> +<a name = "page37" id = "page37"> </a> +<p>Then she greeted the Geat-lord, and gave God the thank,</p> +<p>She, the wisefast In words, that the will had wax'd in her</p> +<p>In one man of the earls to have trusting and troth</p> +<p>For comfort from crimes. But the cup then he took,</p> +<p>The slaughter-fierce warrior, from Wealhtheow the Queen.</p> +<span class = "linenum">630</span> +<p>And then rim'd he the word, making ready for war,</p> +<p>And Beowulf spake forth, the Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +E'en that in mind had I when up on holm strode I,</p> +<p>And in sea-boat sat down with a band of my men,</p> +<p>That for once and for all the will of your people</p> +<p>Would I set me to work, or on slaughter-field cringe</p> +<p>Fast in grip of the fiend; yea and now shall I frame</p> +<p>The valour of earl-folk, or else be abiding</p> +<p>The day of mine end, here down in the mead-hall.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +To the wife those his words well liking they were,</p> +<span class = "linenum">640</span> +<p>The big word of the Geat; and the gold-adorn'd wended,</p> +<p>The frank and free Queen to sit by her lord.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">38</span> +<a name = "page38" id = "page38"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +And thereafter within the high hall was as erst</p> +<p>The proud word outspoken and bliss on the people,</p> +<p>Was the sound of the victory-folk, till on a sudden</p> +<p>The Healfdene's son would now be a-seeking</p> +<p>His rest of the even: wotted he for the Evil</p> +<p>Within the high hall was the Hild-play bedight,</p> +<p>Sithence that the sun-light no more should they see,</p> +<p>When night should be darkening, and down over all</p> +<span class = "linenum">650</span> +<p>The shapes of the shadow-helms should be a-striding</p> +<p>Wan under the welkin. Uprose then all war-folk;</p> +<p>Then greeted the glad-minded one man the other,</p> +<p>Hrothgar to Beowulf, bidding him hail,</p> +<p>And the wine-hall to wield, and withal quoth the word:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Never to any man erst have I given,</p> +<p>Since the hand and the shield's round aloft might I heave,</p> +<p>This high hall of the Dane-folk, save now unto thee.</p> +<p>Have now and hold the best of all houses,</p> +<p>Mind thee of fame, show the might of thy valour!</p> +<span class = "linenum">660</span> +<p>Wake the wroth one: no lack shall there be to thy willing</p> +<p>If that wight work thou win and life therewithal.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">39</span> +<a name = "page39" id = "page39"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXI" id = "chapXI"> +XI. NOW IS BEOWULF LEFT IN THE HALL ALONE WITH HIS MEN.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +wended him Hrothgar with the band of his warriors,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The high-ward of the Scyldings from out of the hall,</p> +<p>For then would the war-lord go seek unto Wealhtheow</p> +<p>The Queen for a bed-mate. The glory of king-folk</p> +<p>Against Grendel had set, as men have heard say,</p> +<p>A hall-ward who held him a service apart</p> +<p>In the house of the Dane-lord, for eoten-ward held he.</p> +<p>Forsooth he, the Geat-lord, full gladly he trowed</p> +<span class = "linenum">670</span> +<p>In the might of his mood and the grace of the Maker.</p> +<p>Therewith he did off him his byrny of iron</p> +<p>And the helm from his head, and his dighted sword gave,</p> +<p>The best of all irons, to the thane that abode him,</p> +<p>And bade him to hold that harness of battle.</p> +<p>Bespake then the good one, a big word he gave out,</p> +<p>Beowulf the Geat, ere on the bed strode he:</p> +<span class = "pagenum">40</span> +<a name = "page40" id = "page40"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Nowise in war I deem me more lowly</p> +<p>In the works of the battle than Grendel, I ween;</p> +<p>So not with the sword shall I lull him to slumber,</p> +<span class = "linenum">680</span> +<p>Or take his life thuswise, though to me were it easy;</p> +<p>Of that good wise he wots not, to get the stroke on me,</p> +<p>To hew on my shield, for as stark as he shall be</p> +<p>In the works of the foeman. So we twain a night-tide</p> +<p>Shall forgo the sword, if he dare yet to seek</p> +<p>The war without weapons. Sithence the wise God,</p> +<p>The Lord that is holy, on which hand soever</p> +<p>The glory may doom as due to him seemeth.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Bowed down then the war-deer, the cheek-bolster took</p> +<p>The face of the earl; and about him a many</p> +<span class = "linenum">690</span> +<p>Of sea-warriors bold to their hall-slumber bow'd them;</p> +<p>No one of them thought that thence away should he</p> +<p>Seek ever again to his home the beloved,</p> +<p>His folk or his free burg, where erst he was fed;</p> +<p>For of men had they learn'd that o'er mickle a many</p> +<span class = "pagenum">41</span> +<a name = "page41" id = "page41"> </a> +<p>In that wine-hall aforetime the fell death had gotten</p> +<p>Of the folk of the Danes; but the Lord to them gave it,</p> +<p>To the folk of the Weders, the web of war-speeding,</p> +<p>Help fair and good comfort, e'en so that their foeman</p> +<p>Through the craft of one man all they overcame,</p> +<span class = "linenum">700</span> +<p>By the self-might of one. So is manifest truth</p> +<p>That God the Almighty the kindred of men</p> +<p>Hath wielded wide ever. Now by wan night there came,</p> +<p>There strode in the shade-goer; slept there the shooters,</p> +<p>They who that horn-house should be a-holding,</p> +<p>All men but one man: to men was that known,</p> +<p>That them indeed might not, since will'd not the Maker,</p> +<p>The scather unceasing drag off 'neath the shadow;</p> +<p>But he ever watching in wrath 'gainst the wroth one</p> +<p>Mood-swollen abided the battle-mote ever.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">42</span> +<a name = "page42" id = "page42"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXII" id = "chapXII"> +XII. GRENDEL COMETH INTO HART: OF THE STRIFE BETWIXT HIM AND BEOWULF.</a></h4> + + +<span class = "linenum">710</span> +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Came</span> +then from the moor-land, all under the mist-bents,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Grendel a-going there, bearing God's anger.</p> +<p>The scather the ill one was minded of mankind</p> +<p>To have one in his toils from the high hall aloft.</p> +<p>'Neath the welkin he waded, to the place whence the wine-house,</p> +<p>The gold-hall of men, most yarely he wist</p> +<p>With gold-plates fair coloured; nor was it the first time</p> +<p>That he unto Hrothgar's high home had betook him.</p> +<p>Never he in his life-days, either erst or thereafter,</p> +<p>Of warriors more hardy or hall-thanes had found.</p> +<span class = "linenum">720</span> +<p>Came then to the house the wight on his ways,</p> +<p>Of all joys bereft; and soon sprang the door open,</p> +<p>With fire-bands made fast, when with hand he had touch'd it;</p> +<p>Brake the bale-heedy, he with wrath bollen,</p> +<p>The mouth of the house there, and early thereafter</p> +<span class = "pagenum">43</span> +<a name = "page43" id = "page43"> </a> +<p>On the shiny-fleck'd floor thereof trod forth the fiend;</p> +<p>On went he then mood-wroth, and out from his eyes stood</p> +<p>Likest to fire-flame light full unfair.</p> +<p>In the high house beheld he a many of warriors,</p> +<p>A host of men sib all sleeping together,</p> +<span class = "linenum">730</span> +<p>Of man-warriors a heap; then laugh'd out his mood;</p> +<p>In mind deem'd he to sunder, or ever came day,</p> +<p>The monster, the fell one, from each of the men there</p> +<p>The life from the body; for befell him a boding</p> +<p>Of fulfilment of feeding: but weird now it was not</p> +<p>That he any more of mankind thenceforward</p> +<p>Should eat, that night over. Huge evil beheld then</p> +<p>The Hygelac's kinsman, and how the foul scather</p> +<p>All with his fear-grips would fare there before him;</p> +<p>How never the monster was minded to tarry,</p> +<span class = "linenum">740</span> +<p>For speedily gat he, and at the first stour,</p> +<p>A warrior a-sleeping, and unaware slit him,</p> +<p>Bit his bone-coffer, drank blood a-streaming,</p> +<p>Great gobbets swallow'd in; thenceforth soon had he</p> +<span class = "pagenum">44</span> +<a name = "page44" id = "page44"> </a> +<p>Of the unliving one every whit eaten</p> +<p>To hands and feet even: then forth strode he nigher,</p> +<p>And took hold with his hand upon him the highhearted.</p> +<p>The warrior a-resting; reach'd out to himwards</p> +<p>The fiend with his hand, gat fast on him rathely</p> +<p>With thought of all evil, and besat him his arm.</p> +<span class = "linenum">750</span> +<p>Then swiftly was finding the herdsman of fouldeeds</p> +<p>That forsooth he had met not in Middle-garth ever,</p> +<p>In the parts of the earth, in any man else</p> +<p>A hand-grip more mighty; then wax'd he of mood</p> +<p>Heart-fearful, but none the more outward might he;</p> +<p>Hence-eager his heart was to the darkness to hie him,</p> +<p>And the devil-dray seek: not there was his service</p> +<p>E'en such as he found in his life-days before.</p> +<p>Then to heart laid the good one, the Hygelac's kinsman,</p> +<p>His speech of the even-tide; uplong he stood</p> +<span class = "linenum">760</span> +<p>And fast with him grappled, till bursted his fingers.</p> +<p>The eoten was out-fain, but on strode the earl.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">45</span> +<a name = "page45" id = "page45"> </a> +<p>The mighty fiend minded was, whereso he might,</p> +<p>To wind him about more widely away thence,</p> +<p>And flee fenwards; he found then the might of his fingers</p> +<p>In the grip of the fierce one; sorry faring was that</p> +<p>Which he, the harm-scather, had taken to Hart.</p> +<p>The warrior-hall dinn'd now; unto all Danes there waxed,</p> +<p>To the castle-abiders, to each of the keen ones,</p> +<p>To all earls, as an ale-dearth. Now angry were both</p> +<span class = "linenum">770</span> +<p>Of the fierce mighty warriors, far rang out the hall-house;</p> +<p>Then mickle the wonder it was that the wine-hall</p> +<p>Withstood the two war-deer, nor welter'd to earth</p> +<p>The fair earthly dwelling; but all fast was it builded</p> +<p>Within and without with the banding of iron</p> +<p>By crafty thought smithy'd. But there from the sill bow'd</p> +<p>Fell many a mead-bench, by hearsay of mine,</p> +<p>With gold well adorned, where strove they the wrothful.</p> +<p>Hereof never ween'd they, the wise of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>That ever with might should any of men</p> +<span class = "pagenum">46</span> +<a name = "page46" id = "page46"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">780</span> +<p>The excellent, bone-dight, break into pieces,</p> +<p>Or unlock with cunning, save the light fire's embracing</p> +<p>In smoke should it swallow. So uprose the roar</p> +<p>New and enough; now fell on the North-Danes</p> +<p>Ill fear and the terror, on each and on all men,</p> +<p>Of them who from wall-top hearken'd the weeping,</p> +<p>Even God's foeman singing the fear-lay,</p> +<p>The triumphless song, and the wound-bewailing</p> +<p>Of the thrall of the Hell; for there now fast held him</p> +<p>He who of men of main was the mightiest</p> +<span class = "linenum">790</span> +<p>In that day which is told of, the day of this life.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXIII" id = "chapXIII"> +XIII. BEOWULF HATH THE VICTORY: +GRENDEL IS HURT DEADLY AND LEAVETH HAND AND ARM IN THE HALL.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Naught</span> +would the earls' help for anything thenceforth</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +That murder-comer yet quick let loose of,</p> +<p>Nor his life-days forsooth to any of folk</p> +<p>Told he for useful. Out then drew full many</p> +<p>Of Beowult's earls the heir-loom of old days,</p> +<p>For their lord and their master's fair life would hey ward,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">47</span> +<a name = "page47" id = "page47"> </a> +<p>That mighty of princes, if so might they do it.</p> +<p>For this did they know not when they the strife dreed,</p> +<p>Those hardy-minded men of the battle,</p> +<span class = "linenum">800</span> +<p>And on every half there thought to be hewing,</p> +<p>And search out his soul, that the ceaseless scather</p> +<p>Not any on earth of the choice of all irons,</p> +<p>Not one of the war-bills, would greet home for ever.</p> +<p>For he had forsworn him from victory-weapons,</p> +<p>And each one of edges. But his sundering of soul</p> +<p>In the days that we tell of, the day of this life,</p> +<p>Should be weary and woeful, the ghost wending elsewhere</p> +<p>To the wielding of fiends to wend him afar.</p> +<p>Then found he out this, he who mickle erst made</p> +<span class = "linenum">810</span> +<p>Out of mirth of his mood unto children of men</p> +<p>And had fram'd many crimes, he the foeman of God,</p> +<p>That the body of him would not bide to avail him,</p> +<p>But the hardy of mood, even Hygelac's kinsman,</p> +<p>Had him fast by the hand: now was each to the other</p> +<p>All loathly while living: his body-sore bided</p> +<p>The monster: was manifest now on his shoulder</p> +<p>The unceasing wound, sprang the sinews asunder,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">48</span> +<a name = "page48" id = "page48"> </a> +<p>The bone-lockers bursted. To Beowulf now</p> +<p>Was the battle-fame given; should Grendel thenceforth</p> +<span class = "linenum">820</span> +<p>Flee life-sick awayward and under the fen-bents</p> +<p>Seek his unmerry stead: now wist he more surely</p> +<p>That ended his life was, and gone over for ever,</p> +<p>His day-tale told out. But was for all Dane-folk</p> +<p>After that slaughter-race all their will done.</p> +<p>Then had he cleans'd for them, he the far-comer,</p> +<p>Wise and stout-hearted, the high hall of Hrothgar,</p> +<p>And say'd it from war. So the night-work he joy'd in</p> +<p>And his doughty deed done. Yea, but he for the East-Danes</p> +<p>That lord of the Geat-folk his boast's end had gotten,</p> +<span class = "linenum">830</span> +<p>Withal their woes bygone all had he booted,</p> +<p>And the sorrow hate-fashion'd that afore they had dreed,</p> +<p>And the hard need and bitter that erst they must bear,</p> +<p>The sorrow unlittle. Sithence was clear token</p> +<p>When the deer of the battle laid down there the hand</p> +<p>The arm and the shoulder, and all there together</p> +<p>Of the grip of that Grendel 'neath the great roof upbuilded.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">49</span> +<a name = "page49" id = "page49"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapXIV" id = "chapXIV"> +XIV. THE DANES REJOICE; THEY GO TO LOOK ON THE SLOT OF GRENDEL, +AND COME BACK TO HART, AND ON THE WAY MAKE MERRY WITH RACING +AND THE TELLING OF TALES.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">There</span> +was then on the morning, as I have heard tell it,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Round the gift-hall a many of men of the warriors:</p> +<p>Were faring folk-leaders from far and from near</p> +<span class = "linenum">840</span> +<p>O'er the wide-away roads the wonder to look on,</p> +<p>The track of the loathly: his life-sundering nowise</p> +<p>Was deem'd for a sorrow to any of men there</p> +<p>Who gaz'd on the track of the gloryless wight;</p> +<p>How he all a-weary of mood thence awayward,</p> +<p>Brought to naught in the battle, to the mere of the nicors,</p> +<p>Now fey and forth-fleeing, his life-steps had flitted.</p> +<p>There all in the blood was the sea-brim a-welling,</p> +<p>The dread swing of the waves was washing all mingled</p> +<p>With hot blood; with the gore of the sword was it welling;</p> +<span class = "linenum">850</span> +<p>The death-doom'd had dyed it, sithence he unmerry</p> +<span class = "pagenum">50</span> +<a name = "page50" id = "page50"> </a> +<p>In his fen-hold had laid down the last of his life,</p> +<p>His soul of the heathen, and hell gat hold on him.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Thence back again far'd they those fellows of old,</p> +<p>With many a young one, from their wayfaring merry,</p> +<p>Full proud from the mere-side on mares there a-riding</p> +<p>The warriors on white steeds. There then was of Beowulf</p> +<p>Set forth the might mighty; oft quoth it a many</p> +<p>That nor northward nor southward beside the twin sea-floods,</p> +<p>Over all the huge earth's face now never another,</p> +<span class = "linenum">860</span> +<p>Never under the heaven's breadth, was there a better,</p> +<p>Nor of wielders of war-shields a worthier of kingship;</p> +<p>But neither their friendly lord blam'd they one whit,</p> +<p>Hrothgar the glad, for good of kings was he.</p> +<p>There whiles the warriors far-famed let leap</p> +<p>Their fair fallow horses and fare into flyting</p> +<p>Where unto them the earth-ways for fair-fashion'd seemed,</p> +<p>Through their choiceness well kenned; and whiles a king's thane,</p> +<p>A warrior vaunt-laden, of lays grown bemindful,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">51</span> +<a name = "page51" id = "page51"> </a> +<p>E'en he who all many of tales of the old days</p> +<span class = "linenum">870</span> +<p>A multitude minded, found other words also</p> +<p>Sooth-bounden, and boldly the man thus began</p> +<p>E'en Beowulf's wayfare well wisely to stir,</p> +<p>With good speed to set forth the spells well areded</p> +<p>And to shift about words. And well of all told he</p> +<p>That he of Sigemund erst had heard say,</p> +<p>Of the deeds of his might; and many things uncouth:</p> +<p>Of the strife of the Węlsing and his wide wayfarings,</p> +<p>Of those that men's children not well yet they wist,</p> +<p>The feud and the crimes, save Fitela with him;</p> +<span class = "linenum">880</span> +<p>Somewhat of such things yet would he say,</p> +<p>The eme to the nephew; e'en as they aye were</p> +<p>In all strife soever fellows full needful;</p> +<p>And full many had they of the kin of the eotens</p> +<p>Laid low with the sword. And to Sigemund upsprang</p> +<p>After his death-day fair doom unlittle</p> +<p>Sithence that the war-hard the Worm there had quelled,</p> +<p>The herd of the hoard; he under the hoar stone,</p> +<p>The bairn of the Atheling, all alone dar'd it,</p> +<p>That wight deed of deeds; with him Fitela was not.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">52</span> +<a name = "page52" id = "page52"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">890</span> +<p>But howe'er, his hap was that the sword so through-waded</p> +<p>The Worm the all-wondrous, that in the wall stood</p> +<p>The iron dear-wrought: and the drake died the murder.</p> +<p>There had the warrior so won by wightness,</p> +<p>That he of the ring-hoard the use might be having</p> +<p>All at his own will. The sea-boat he loaded,</p> +<p>And into the ship's barm bore the bright fretwork</p> +<p>Węls' son. In the hotness the Worm was to-molten.</p> +<p>Now he of all wanderers was widely the greatest</p> +<p>Through the peoples of man-kind, the warder of warriors,</p> +<span class = "linenum">900</span> +<p>By mighty deeds; erst then and early he throve.</p> +<p>Now sithence the warfare of Heremod waned,</p> +<p>His might and his valour, amidst of the eotens</p> +<p>To the wielding of foemen straight was he betrayed,</p> +<p>And speedily sent forth: by the surges of sorrow</p> +<p>O'er-long was he lam'd, became he to his lieges,</p> +<p>To all of the athelings, a life-care thenceforward.</p> +<p>Withal oft bemoaned in times that were older</p> +<p>The ways of that stout heart many a carle of the wisest.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">53</span> +<a name = "page53" id = "page53"> </a> +<p>Who trow'd in him boldly for booting of bales,</p> +<span class = "linenum">910</span> +<p>And had look'd that the king's bairn should ever be thriving,</p> +<p>His father's own lordship should take, hold the folk,</p> +<p>The hoard and the ward-burg, and realm of the heroes,</p> +<p>The own land of the Scyldings. To all men was Beowulf,</p> +<p>The Hygelac's kinsman to the kindred of menfolk,</p> +<a name = "line915" id = "line915"> </a> +<p>More fair unto friends; but on Heremod crime fell.</p> +<p>So whiles the men flyting the fallow street there</p> +<p>With their mares were they meting. There then was the morn-light</p> +<p>Thrust forth and hasten'd; went many a warrior</p> +<p>All hardy of heart to the high hall aloft</p> +<span class = "linenum">920</span> +<p>The rare wonder to see; and the King's self withal</p> +<p>From the bride-bower wended, the warder of ring-hoards,</p> +<p>All glorious he trod and a mickle troop had he,</p> +<p>He for choice ways beknown; and his Queen therewithal</p> +<p>Meted the mead-path with a meyny of maidens.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">54</span> +<a name = "page54" id = "page54"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXV" id = "chapXV"> +XV. KING HROTHGAR AND HIS THANES LOOK ON THE ARM OF GRENDEL. +CONVERSE BETWIXT HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF CONCERNING THE BATTLE.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Out</span> +then spake Hrothgar; for he to the hall went,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +By the staple a-standing the steep roof he saw</p> +<p>Shining fair with the gold, and the hand there of Grendel:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +For this sight that I see to the All-wielder thanks</p> +<p>Befall now forthwith, for foul evil I bided,</p> +<span class = "linenum">930</span> +<p>All griefs from this Grendel; but God, glory's Herder,</p> +<p>Wonder on wonder ever can work.</p> +<p>Unyore was it then when I for myself</p> +<p>Might ween never more, wide all through my life-days,</p> +<p>Of the booting of woes; when all blood-besprinkled</p> +<p>The best of all houses stood sword-gory here;</p> +<p>Wide then had the woe thrust off each of the wise</p> +<p>Of them that were looking that never life-long</p> +<span class = "pagenum">55</span> +<a name = "page55" id = "page55"> </a> +<p>That land-work of the folk they might ward from the loathly,</p> +<p>From ill wights and devils. But now hath a warrior</p> +<span class = "linenum">940</span> +<p>Through the might of the Lord a deed made thereunto</p> +<p>Which we, and all we together, in nowise</p> +<p>By wisdom might work. What! well might be saying</p> +<p>That maid whosoever this son brought to birth</p> +<p>According to man's kind, if yet she be living,</p> +<p>That the Maker of old time to her was all-gracious</p> +<p>In the bearing of bairns. O Beowulf, I now</p> +<p>Thee best of all men as a son unto me</p> +<p>Will love in my heart, and hold thou henceforward</p> +<p>Our kinship new-made now; nor to thee shall be lacking</p> +<span class = "linenum">950</span> +<p>As to longings of world-goods whereof I have wielding;</p> +<p>Full oft I for lesser things guerdon have given,</p> +<p>The worship of hoards, to a warrior was weaker,</p> +<p>A worser in strife. Now thyself for thyself</p> +<p>By deeds hast thou fram'd it that liveth thy fair fame</p> +<p>For ever and ever. So may the All-wielder</p> +<p>With good pay thee ever, as erst he hath done it.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">56</span> +<a name = "page56" id = "page56"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then Beowulf spake out, the Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<p>That work of much might with mickle of love</p> +<p>We framed with fighting, and frowardly ventur'd</p> +<span class = "linenum">960</span> +<p>The might of the uncouth; now I would that rather</p> +<p>Thou mightest have look'd on the very man there,</p> +<p>The foe in his fret-gear all worn unto falling.</p> +<p>There him in all haste with hard griping did I</p> +<p>On the slaughter-bed deem it to bind him indeed,</p> +<p>That he for my hand-grip should have to be lying</p> +<p>All busy for life: but his body fled off.</p> +<p>Him then, I might not (since would not the Maker)</p> +<p>From his wayfaring sunder, nor naught so well sought I</p> +<p>The life-foe; o'er-mickle of might was he yet,</p> +<span class = "linenum">970</span> +<p>The foeman afoot: but his hand has he left us,</p> +<p>A life-ward, a-warding the ways of his wending,</p> +<p>His arm and his shoulder therewith. Yet in nowise</p> +<p>That wretch of the grooms any solace hath got him,</p> +<p>Nor longer will live the loathly deed-doer,</p> +<p>Beswinked with sins; for the sore hath him now</p> +<p>In the grip of need grievous, in strait hold togather'd</p> +<p>With bonds that be baleful: there shall he abide,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">57</span> +<a name = "page57" id = "page57"> </a> +<p>That wight dyed with all evil-deeds, the doom mickle,</p> +<p>For what wise to him the bright Maker will write it.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">980</span> +<a name = "line980" id = "line980"> </a> +<p class = "inset"> +Then a silenter man was the son there of Ecglaf</p> +<p>In the speech of the boasting of works of the battle,</p> +<p>After when every atheling by craft of the earl</p> +<p>Over the high roof had look'd on the hand there,</p> +<p>Yea, the fiend's fingers before his own eyen,</p> +<p>Each one of the nail-steads most like unto steel,</p> +<p>Hand-spur of the heathen one; yea, the own claw</p> +<p>Uncouth of the war-wight. But each one there quoth it,</p> +<p>That no iron of the best, of the hardy of folk,</p> +<p>Would touch him at all, which e'er of the monster</p> +<span class = "linenum">990</span> +<p>The battle-hand bloody might bear away thence.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXVI" id = "chapXVI"> +XVI. HROTHGAR GIVETH GIFTS TO BEOWULF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +was speedily bidden that Hart be withinward</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +By hand of man well adorn'd; was there a many</p> +<p>Of warriors and wives, who straightway that wine-house</p> +<span class = "pagenum">58</span> +<a name = "page58" id = "page58"> </a> +<p>The guest-house, bedight them: there gold-shotten shone</p> +<p>The webs over the walls, many wonders to look on</p> +<p>For men every one who on such things will stare.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Was that building the bright all broken about</p> +<p>All withinward, though fast in the bands of the iron;</p> +<p>Asunder the hinges rent, only the roof there</p> +<span class = "linenum">1000</span> +<p>Was saved all sound, when the monster of evil</p> +<p>The guilty of crime-deeds had gat him to flight</p> +<p>Never hoping for life. Nay, lightly now may not</p> +<p>That matter be fled from, frame it whoso may frame it.</p> +<p>But by strife man shall win of the bearers of souls,</p> +<p>Of the children of men, compelled by need,</p> +<p>The abiders on earth, the place made all ready,</p> +<p>The stead where his body laid fast on his death-bed</p> +<p>Shall sleep after feast. Now time and place was it</p> +<p>When unto the hall went that Healfdene's son,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1010</span> +<p>And the King himself therein the feast should be sharing;</p> +<p>Never heard I of men-folk in fellowship more</p> +<p>About their wealth-giver so well themselves bearing.</p> +<p>Then bow'd unto bench there the abounders in riches</p> +<p>And were fain of their fill. Full fairly there took</p> +<span class = "pagenum">59</span> +<a name = "page59" id = "page59"> </a> +<p>A many of mead-cups the kin of those men,</p> +<p>The sturdy of heart in the hall high aloft,</p> +<a name = "line1017" id = "line1017"> </a> +<p>Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Hart there withinward</p> +<p>Of friends was fulfilled; naught there that was guilesome</p> +<p>The folk of the Scyldings for yet awhile framed.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">1020</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Gave then to Beowulf Healfdene's bairn</p> +<p>A golden war-ensign, the victory's guerdon,</p> +<p>A staff-banner fair-dight, a helm and a byrny:</p> +<p>The great jewel-sword a many men saw them</p> +<p>Bear forth to the hero. Then Beowulf took</p> +<p>The cup on the floor, and nowise of that fee-gift</p> +<p>Before the shaft-shooters the shame need he have.</p> +<p>Never heard I how friendlier four of the treasures,</p> +<p>All gear'd with the gold about, many men erewhile</p> +<p>On the ale-bench have given to others of men.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1030</span> +<p>Round the roof of the helm, the burg of the head,</p> +<p>A wale wound with wires held ward from without-ward,</p> +<p>So that the file-leavings might not over fiercely,</p> +<p>Were they never so shower-hard, scathe the shield-bold,</p> +<p>When he 'gainst the angry in anger should get him.</p> +<p>Therewith bade the earls' burg that eight of the horses</p> +<p>With cheek-plates adorned be led down the floor</p> +<p>In under the fences; on one thereof stood</p> +<span class = "pagenum">60</span> +<a name = "page60" id = "page60"> </a> +<p>A saddle all craft-bedeck'd, seemly with treasure.</p> +<p>That same was the war-seat of the high King full surely</p> +<span class = "linenum">1040</span> +<p>Whenas that the sword-play that Healfdene's son</p> +<p>Would work; never failed in front of the war</p> +<p>The wide-kenn'd one's war-might, whereas fell the slain.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +So to Beowulf thereon of either of both</p> +<a name = "line1044" id = "line1044"> </a> +<p>The Ingwines' high warder gave wielding to have,</p> +<p>Both the war-steeds and weapons, and bade him well brook them.</p> +<p>Thuswise and so manly the mighty of princes,</p> +<p>Hoard-warden of heroes, the battle-race paid</p> +<p>With mares and with gems, so as no man shall blame them,</p> +<p>E'en he who will say sooth aright as it is.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXVII" id = "chapXVII"> +XVII. THEY FEAST IN HART. THE GLEEMAN SINGS OF FINN AND HENGEST.</a></h4> + + +<span class = "linenum">1050</span> +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +the lord of the earl-folk to every and each one</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Of them who with Beowulf the sea-ways had worn</p> +<p>Then and there on the mead-bench did handsel them treasure,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">61</span> +<a name = "page61" id = "page61"> </a> +<p>An heir-loom to wit; for him also he bade it</p> +<p>That a were-gild be paid, whom Grendel aforetime</p> +<p>By wickedness quell'd, as far more of them would he,</p> +<p>Save from them God all-witting the weird away wended,</p> +<p>And that man's mood withal. But the Maker all wielded</p> +<p>Of the kindred of mankind, as yet now he doeth.</p> +<p>Therefore through-witting will be the best everywhere</p> +<span class = "linenum">1060</span> +<p>And the forethought of mind. Many things must abide</p> +<p>Of lief and of loth, he who here a long while</p> +<p>In these days of the strife with the world shall be dealing.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +There song was and sound all gather'd together</p> +<p>Of that Healfdene's warrior and wielder of battle,</p> +<p>The wood of glee greeted, the lay wreaked often,</p> +<p>Whenas the hall-game the minstrel of Hrothgar</p> +<p>All down by the mead-bench tale must be making:</p> + +<a name = "line1068" id = "line1068"> </a> +<p class = "inset"> +By Finn's sons aforetime, when the fear gat them,</p> +<a name = "line1069" id = "line1069"> </a> +<p>The hero of Half-Danes, Hnęf of the Scyldings,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1070</span> +<a name = "line1070" id = "line1070"> </a> +<p>On the slaughter-field Frisian needs must he fall.</p> +<a name = "line1071" id = "line1071"> </a> +<p>Forsooth never Hildeburh needed to hery</p> +<a name = "line1072" id = "line1072"> </a> +<p>The troth of the Eotens; she all unsinning</p> +<span class = "pagenum">62</span> +<a name = "page62" id = "page62"> </a> +<p>Was lorne of her lief ones in that play of the linden,</p> +<p>Her bairns and her brethren, by fate there they fell</p> +<p>Spear-wounded. That was the all-woeful of women.</p> +<a name = "line1076" id = "line1076"> </a> +<p>Not unduly without cause the daughter of Hoc</p> +<p>Mourn'd the Maker's own shaping, sithence came the morn</p> +<p>When she under the heavens that tide came to see,</p> +<p>Murder-bale of her kinsmen, where most had she erewhile?</p> +<span class = "linenum">1080</span> +<p>Of world's bliss. The war-tide took all men away</p> +<p>Of Finn's thanes that were, save only a few;</p> +<p>E'en so that he might not on the field of the meeting</p> +<a name = "line1083" id = "line1083"> </a> +<p>Hold Hengest a war-tide, or fight any whit,</p> +<p>Nor yet snatch away thence by war the woe-leavings</p> +<p>From the thane of the King; but terms now they bade him</p> +<p>That for them other stead all for all should make room,</p> +<p>A hall and high settle, whereof the half-wielding</p> +<a name = "line1088" id = "line1088"> </a> +<p>They with the Eotens' bairns henceforth might hold,</p> +<a name = "line1089" id = "line1089"> </a> +<p>And with fee-gifts moreover the son of Folkwalda</p> +<span class = "linenum">1090</span> +<p>Each day of the days the Danes should beworthy;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">63</span> +<a name = "page63" id = "page63"> </a> +<p>The war-heap of Hengest with rings should he honour</p> +<p>Even so greatly with treasure of treasures,</p> +<a name = "line1093" id = "line1093"> </a> +<p>Of gold all beplated, as he the kin Frisian</p> +<p>Down in the beer-hall duly should dight.</p> +<p>Troth then they struck there each of the two halves,</p> +<p>A peace-troth full fast. There Finn unto Hengest</p> +<p>Strongly, unstrifeful, with oath-swearing swore,</p> +<p>That he the woe-leaving by the doom of the wise ones</p> +<p>Should hold in ail honour, that never man henceforth</p> +<span class = "linenum">1100</span> +<p>With word or with work the troth should be breaking,</p> +<p>Nor through craft of the guileful should undo it ever,</p> +<p>Though their ring-giver's bane they must follow in rank</p> +<p>All lordless, e'en so need is it to be:</p> +<p>But if any of Frisians by over-bold speaking</p> +<p>The murderful hatred should call unto mind,</p> +<p>Then naught but the edge of the sword should avenge it.</p> +<p>Then done was the oath there, and gold of the golden</p> +<span class = "pagenum">64</span> +<a name = "page64" id = "page64"> </a> +<a name = "line1108" id = "line1108"> </a> +<p>Heav'd up from the hoard. Of the bold Here-Scyldings</p> +<p>All yare on the bale was the best battle-warrior;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1110</span> +<p>On the death-howe beholden was easily there</p> +<p>The sark stain'd with war-sweat, the all-golden swine,</p> +<p>The iron-hard boar; there was many an atheling</p> +<p>With wounds all outworn; some on slaughter-field welter'd.</p> +<a name = "line1114" id = "line1114"> </a> +<p>But Hildeburh therewith on Hnęf's bale she bade them</p> +<p>The own son of herself to set fast in the flame,</p> +<p>His bone-vats to burn up and lay on the bale there:</p> +<p>On his shoulder all woeful the woman lamented,</p> +<p>Sang songs of bewailing, as the warrior strode upward,</p> +<p>Wound up to the welkin that most of death-fires,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1120</span> +<p>Before the howe howled; there molten the heads were,</p> +<p>The wound-gates burst open, there blood was out-springing</p> +<p>From foe-bites of the body; the flame swallow'd all,</p> +<p>The greediest of ghosts, of them that war gat him</p> +<p>Of either of folks; shaken off was their life-breath.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">65</span> +<a name = "page65" id = "page65"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapXVIII" id = "chapXVIII"> +XVIII. THE ENDING OF THE TALE OF FINN.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Departed</span> +the warriors their wicks to visit</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +All forlorn of their friends now, Friesland to look on,</p> +<a name = "line1127" id = "line1127"> </a> +<p>Their homes and their high burg. Hengest a while yet</p> +<p>Through the slaughter-dyed winter bode dwelling with Finn</p> +<p>And all without strife: he remember'd his homeland,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1130</span> +<p>Though never he might o'er the mere be a-driving</p> +<p>The high prow be-ringed: with storm the holm welter'd,</p> +<p>Won war 'gainst the winds; winter locked the waves</p> +<p>With bondage of ice, till again came another</p> +<p>Of years into the garth, as yet it is ever,</p> +<p>And the days which the season to watch never cease,</p> +<p>The glory-bright weather; then gone was the winter,</p> +<p>And fair was the earth's barm. Now hastened the exile.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">66</span> +<a name = "page66" id = "page66"> </a> +<p>The guest from the garths; he on getting of vengeance</p> +<p>Of harms thought more greatly than of the sea's highway,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1140</span> +<p>If he but a wrath-mote might yet be a-wending</p> +<a name = "line1141" id = "line1141"> </a> +<p>Where the bairns of the Eotens might he still remember.</p> +<p>The ways of the world forwent he in nowise</p> +<a name = "line1143" id = "line1143"> </a> +<p>Then, whenas Hunlafing the light of the battle,</p> +<p>The best of all bills, did into his breast,</p> +<p>Whereof mid the Eotens were the edges well knowen.</p> +<p>Withal to the bold-hearted Finn befell after</p> +<p>Sword-bales the deadly at his very own dwelling,</p> +<a name = "line1148" id = "line1148"> </a> +<p>When the grim grip of war Guthlaf and Oslaf</p> +<p>After the sea-fare lamented with sorrow</p> +<span class = "linenum">1150</span> +<p>And wyted him deal of their woes; nor then might he</p> +<p>In his breast hold his wavering heart. Was the hall dight</p> +<p>With the lives of slain foemen, and slain eke was Finn</p> +<p>The King 'midst of his court-men; and there the Queen, taken,</p> +<p>The shooters of the Scyldings ferry'd down to the sea-ships,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">67</span> +<a name = "page67" id = "page67"> </a> +<p>And the house-wares and chattels the earth-king had had,</p> +<a name = "line1156" id = "line1156"> </a> +<p>E'en such as at Finn's home there might they find,</p> +<p>Of collars and cunning gems. They on the sea-path</p> +<p>The all-lordly wife to the Danes straightly wended,</p> +<p>Led her home to their people. So sung was the lay,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1160</span> +<p>The song of the gleeman; then again arose game,</p> +<p>The bench-voice wax'd brighter, gave forth the birlers</p> +<p>Wine of the wonder-vats. Then came forth Wealhtheow</p> +<p>Under gold ring a-going to where sat the two good ones,</p> +<a name = "line1164" id = "line1164"> </a> +<p>The uncle and nephew, yet of kindred unsunder'd,</p> +<a name = "line1165" id = "line1165"> </a> +<p>Each true to the other. Eke Unferth the spokesman</p> +<p>Sat at feet of the Scyldings' lord; each of his heart trow'd</p> +<p>That of mickle mood was he, though he to his kinsmen</p> +<p>Were un-upright in edge-play. Spake the dame of the Scyldings:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">68</span> +<a name = "page68" id = "page68"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now take thou this cup, my lord of the kingly,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1170</span> +<p>Bestower of treasures! Be thou in thy joyance,</p> +<p>Thou gold-friend of men! and speak to these Geat-folk</p> +<p>In mild words, as duly behoveth to do;</p> +<p>Be glad toward the Geat-folk, and mindful of gifts;</p> +<p>From anigh and from far peace hast thou as now.</p> +<p>To me one hath said it, that thou for a son wouldst</p> +<p>This warrior be holding. Lo! Hart now is cleansed,</p> +<p>The ring-hall bright-beaming. Have joy while thou mayest</p> +<p>In many a meed, and unto thy kinsmen</p> +<p>Leave folk and dominion, when forth thou must fare</p> +<span class = "linenum">1180</span> +<p>To look on the Maker's own making. I know now</p> +<a name = "line1181" id = "line1181"> </a> +<p>My Hrothulf the gladsome, that he this young man</p> +<p>Will hold in all honour if thou now before him,</p> +<p>O friend of the Scyldings, shall fare from the world;</p> +<p>I ween that good-will yet this man will be yielding</p> +<p>To our offspring that after us be, if he mind him</p> +<span class = "pagenum">69</span> +<a name = "page69" id = "page69"> </a> +<p>Of all that which we two, for good-will and for worship,</p> +<p>Unto him erst a child yet have framed of kindness.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then along by the bench did she turn, where her boys were,</p> +<a name = "line1189" id = "line1189"> </a> +<p>Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the bairns of high warriors,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1190</span> +<p>The young ones together; and there sat the good one,</p> +<p>Beowulf the Geat, betwixt the two brethren.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXIX" id = "chapXIX"> +XIX. MORE GIFTS ARE GIVEN TO BEOWULF. THE BRISING COLLAR TOLD OF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Borne</span> +to him then the cup was, and therewith friendly bidding</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +In words was put forth; and gold about wounden</p> +<p>All blithely they bade him bear; arm-gearings twain,</p> +<p>Rail and rings, the most greatest of fashion of neck-rings</p> +<p>Of them that on earth I have ever heard tell of:</p> +<p>Not one under heaven wrought better was heard of</p> +<a name = "line1198" id = "line1198"> </a> +<p>Midst the hoard-gems of heroes, since bore away Hama</p> +<span class = "pagenum">70</span> +<a name = "page70" id = "page70"> </a> +<a name = "line1199" id = "line1199"> </a> +<p>To the bright burg and brave the neck-gear of the Brisings,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1200</span> +<p>The gem and the gem-chest: from the foeman's guile fled he</p> +<p>Of Eormenric then, and chose rede everlasting.</p> +<a name = "line1202" id = "line1202"> </a> +<p>That ring Hygelac had, e'en he of the Geat-folk,</p> +<p>The grandson of Swerting, the last time of all times</p> +<p>When he under the war-sign his treasure defended,</p> +<p>The slaughter-prey warded. Him weird bore away</p> +<p>Sithence he for pride-sake the war-woe abided,</p> +<a name = "line1207" id = "line1207"> </a> +<p>The feud with the Frisians; the fretwork he flitted,</p> +<p>The gem-stones much worthy, all over the waves' cup.</p> +<p>The King the full mighty cring'd under the shield;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1210</span> +<a name = "line1210" id = "line1210"> </a> +<p>Into grasp of the Franks the King's life was gotten</p> +<p>With the gear of the breast and the ring altogether;</p> +<p>It was worser war-wolves then reft gear from the slain</p> +<p>After the war-shearing; there the Geats' war-folk</p> +<p>Held the house of the dead men. The Hall took the voices;</p> +<p>Spake out then Wealhtheow; before the host said she:</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">71</span> +<a name = "page71" id = "page71"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Brook thou this roundel, lief Beowulf, henceforth,</p> +<p>Dear youth, with all hail, and this rail be thou using,</p> +<p>These gems of folk-treasures, and thrive thou well ever;</p> +<p>Thy might then make manifest! Be to these lads here</p> +<span class = "linenum">1220</span> +<p>Kind of lore, and for that will I look to thy guerdon.</p> +<p>Thou hast won by thy faring, that far and near henceforth,</p> +<p>Through wide time to come, men will give thee the worship,</p> +<p>As widely as ever the sea winds about</p> +<p>The windy land-walls. Be the while thou art living</p> +<p>An atheling wealthy, and well do I will thee</p> +<p>Of good of the treasures; be thou to my son</p> +<p>In deed ever friendly, and uphold thy joyance!</p> +<p>Lo! each of the earls here to the other is trusty,</p> +<p>And mild of his mood and to man-lord full faithful,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1230</span> +<p>Kind friends all the thanes are, the folk ever yare.</p> +<p>Ye well drunk of folk-grooms, now do ye my biddings.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">72</span> +<a name = "page72" id = "page72"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +To her settle then far'd she; was the feast of the choicest,</p> +<p>The men drank the wine nothing wotting of weird,</p> +<p>The grim shaping of old, e'en as forth it had gone</p> +<p>To a many of earls; sithence came the even,</p> +<p>And Hrothgar departed to his chamber on high,</p> +<p>The rich to his rest; and aright the house warded</p> +<p>Earls untold of number, as oft did they erewhile.</p> +<p>The bench-boards they bar'd them, and there they spread over</p> +<span class = "linenum">1240</span> +<p>With beds and with bolsters. Of the beer-skinkers one</p> +<p>Who fain was and fey bow'd adown to his floor-rest.</p> +<p>At their heads then they rested their rounds of the battle,</p> +<p>Their board-woods bright-shining. There on the bench was,</p> +<p>Over the atheling, easy to look on</p> +<p>The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny be-ringed,</p> +<p>The wood of the onset, all-glorious. Their wont was</p> +<p>That oft and oft were they all yare for the war-tide,</p> +<p>Both at home and in hosting, were it one were it either,</p> +<p>And for every such tide as their liege lord unto</p> +<span class = "linenum">1250</span> +<p>The need were befallen: right good was that folk.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">73</span> +<a name = "page73" id = "page73"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXX" id = "chapXX"> +XX. GRENDEL’S DAM BREAKS INTO HART AND BEARS OFF AESCHERE.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">So</span> +sank they to slumber; but one paid full sorely</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +For his rest of the even, as to them fell full often</p> +<p>Sithence that the gold-hall Grendel had guarded,</p> +<p>And won deed of unright, until that the end came</p> +<p>And death after sinning: but clear was it shown now,</p> +<p>Wide wotted of men, that e'en yet was a wreaker</p> +<p>Living after the loathly, a long while of time</p> +<p>After the battle-care, Grendel's own mother;</p> +<p>The woman, the monster-wife, minded her woe,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1260</span> +<p>She who needs must in horror of waters be wonning,</p> +<p>The streams all a-cold, sithence Cain was become</p> +<p>For an edge-bane forsooth to his very own brother,</p> +<p>The own son of his father. Forth bann'd then he fared,</p> +<p>All marked by murder, from man's joy to flee,</p> +<p>And dwelt in the waste-land. Thence woke there a many</p> +<p>Ghosts shapen of old time, of whom one was Grendel,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">74</span> +<a name = "page74" id = "page74"> </a> +<p>The fierce wolf, the hateful, who found him at Hart</p> +<p>A man there a-watching, abiding the war-tide;</p> +<p>Where to him the fell ogre to hand-grips befell;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1270</span> +<p>Howe'er he him minded of the strength of his might,</p> +<p>The great gift set fast in him given of God,</p> +<p>And trowed in grace by the All-wielder given,</p> +<p>His fostering, his staying; so the fiend he o'ercame</p> +<p>And bow'd down the Hell's ghost, that all humble he wended</p> +<p>Fordone of all mirth death's house to go look on,</p> +<p>That fiend of all mankind. But yet was his mother,</p> +<p>The greedy, the glum-moody, fain to be going</p> +<p>A sorrowful journey her son's death to wreak.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +So came she to Hart whereas now the Ring-Danes</p> +<span class = "linenum">1280</span> +<p>Were sleeping adown the hall; soon there befell</p> +<p>Change of days to the earl-folk, when in she came thrusting,</p> +<p>Grendel's mother: and soothly was minish'd the terror</p> +<p>By even so much as the craft-work of maidens,</p> +<p>The war-terror of wife, is beside the man weapon'd,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">75</span> +<a name = "page75" id = "page75"> </a> +<p>When the sword all hard bounden, by hammers to-beaten,</p> +<p>The sword all sweat-stain'd, through the swine o'er the war-helm</p> +<p>With edges full doughty down rightly sheareth.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +But therewith in the hall was tugg'd out the hard edge,</p> +<p>The sword o'er the settles, and wide shields a many</p> +<span class = "linenum">1290</span> +<p>Heaved fast in the hand: no one the helm heeded,</p> +<p>Nor the byrny wide-wrought, when the wild fear fell on them.</p> +<p>In haste was she then, and out would she thenceforth</p> +<p>For the saving her life, whenas she should be found there.</p> +<p>But one of the athelings she speedily handled</p> +<p>And caught up full fast, and fenward so fared.</p> +<p>But he was unto Hrothgar the liefest of heroes</p> +<p>Of the sort of the fellows; betwixt the two sea-floods</p> +<p>A mighty shield-warrior, whom she at rest brake up,</p> +<p>A war-wight well famed. There Beowulf was not;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1300</span> +<p>Another house soothly had erewhile been dighted</p> +<p>After gift of that treasure to that great one of Geats.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">76</span> +<a name = "page76" id = "page76"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Uprose cry then in Hart, all 'mid gore had she taken</p> +<p>The hand, the well-known, and now care wrought anew</p> +<p>In the wicks was arisen. Naught well was the bargain</p> +<p>That on both halves they needs must be buying that tide</p> +<p>With the life-days of friends. Then the lord king, the wise,</p> +<p>The hoary of war-folk, was harmed of mood</p> +<p>When his elder of thanes and he now unliving,</p> +<p>The dearest of all, he knew to be dead.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1310</span> +<p>To the bower full swiftly was Beowulf brought now,</p> +<p>The man victory-dower'd; together with day-dawn</p> +<p>Went he, one of the earls, that champion beworthy'd,</p> +<p>Himself with his fellows, where the wise was abiding</p> +<p>To wot if the All-wielder ever will to him</p> +<p>After the tale of woe happy change work.</p> +<p>Then went down the floor he the war-worthy</p> +<p>With the host of his hand, while high dinn'd the hall-wood,</p> +<p>Till he there the wise one with words had well greeted,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">77</span> +<a name = "page77" id = "page77"> </a> +<a name = "line1319" id = "line1319"> </a> +<p>The lord of the Ingwines, and ask'd had the night been.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1320</span> +<p>Since sore he was summon'd, a night of sweet easement.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXI" id = "chapXXI"> +XXI. HROTHGAR LAMENTS THE SLAYING OF AESCHERE, +AND TELLS OF GRENDEL’S MOTHER AND HER DEN.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Spake</span> +out then Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Ask no more after bliss; for new-made now is sorrow</p> +<p>For the folk of the Danes; for Aeschere is dead,</p> +<p>He who was Yrmenlaf's elder of brethren,</p> +<p>My wise man of runes, my bearer of redes,</p> +<p>Mine own shoulder-fellow, when we in the war-tide</p> +<p>Warded our heads and the host on the host fell,</p> +<p>And the boars were a-crashing; e'en such should an earl be,</p> +<p>An atheling exceeding good, e'en as was Aeschere.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1330</span> +<p>Now in Hart hath befallen for a hand-bane unto him</p> +<p>A slaughter-ghost wandering; naught wot I whither</p> +<span class = "pagenum">78</span> +<a name = "page78" id = "page78"> </a> +<p>The fell one, the carrion-proud, far'd hath her back-fare,</p> +<p>By her fill made all famous. That feud hath she wreaked</p> +<p>Wherein yesternight gone by Grendel thou quelledst</p> +<p>Through thy hardihood fierce with grips hard enow.</p> +<p>For that he over-long the lief people of me</p> +<p>Made to wane and undid. In the war then he cringed,</p> +<p>Being forfeit of life. But now came another,</p> +<p>An ill-scather mighty, her son to awreak;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1340</span> +<p>And further hath she now the feud set on foot,</p> +<p>As may well be deemed of many a thane,</p> +<p>Who after the wealth-giver weepeth in mind,</p> +<p>A hard bale of heart. Now the hand lieth low</p> +<p>Which well-nigh for every joy once did avail you.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +The dwellers in land here, my people indeed,</p> +<p>The wise-of-rede hall-folk, have I heard say e'en this:</p> +<p>That they have set eyes on two such-like erewhile,</p> +<p>Two mickle mark-striders the moorland a-holding,</p> +<p>Ghosts come from elsewhere, but of them one there was,</p> +<p>As full certainly might they then know it to be,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">79</span> +<p><span class = "linenum">1350</span> +<a name = "page79" id = "page79"> </a></p> +<p>In the likeness of woman; and the other shap'd loathly</p> +<p>All after man's image trod the tracks of the exile,</p> +<p>Save that more was he shapen than any man other;</p> +<p>And in days gone away now they named him Grendel,</p> +<p>The dwellers in fold; they wot not if a father</p> +<p>Unto him was born ever in the days of erewhile</p> +<p>Of dark ghosts. They dwell in a dim hidden land,</p> +<p>The wolf-bents they bide in, on the nesses the windy,</p> +<p>The perilous fen-paths where the stream of the fell-side</p> +<span class = "linenum">1360</span> +<p>Midst the mists of the nesses wends netherward ever,</p> +<p>The flood under earth. Naught far away hence,</p> +<p>But a mile-mark forsooth, there standeth the mere,</p> +<p>And over it ever hang groves all berimed,</p> +<p>The wood fast by the roots over-helmeth the water.</p> +<p>But each night may one a dread wonder there see,</p> +<p>A fire in the flood. But none liveth so wise</p> +<p>Of the bairns of mankind, that the bottom may know.</p> +<p>Although the heath-stepper beswinked by hounds,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">80</span> +<a name = "page80" id = "page80"> </a> +<p>The hart strong of horns, that holt-wood should seek to</p> +<span class = "linenum">1370</span> +<p>Driven fleeing from far, he shall sooner leave life,</p> +<p>Leave life-breath on the bank, or ever will he</p> +<p>Therein hide his head. No hallow'd stead is it:</p> +<p>Thence the blending of water-waves ever upriseth</p> +<p>Wan up to the welkin, whenso the wind stirreth</p> +<p>Weather-storms loathly, until the lift darkens</p> +<p>And weepeth the heavens. Now along the rede wendeth</p> +<p>Of thee again only. Of that earth yet thou know'st not,</p> +<p>The fearful of steads, wherein thou mayst find</p> +<p>That much-sinning wight; seek then if thou dare,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1380</span> +<p>And thee for that feud will I guerdon with fee,</p> +<p>The treasures of old time, as erst did I do,</p> +<p>With the gold all-bewounden, if away thence thou get thee.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXII" id = "chapXXII"> +XXII. THEY FOLLOW GRENDEL’S DAM TO HER LAIR.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Spake</span> +out then Beowulf the Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +O wise of men, mourn not; for to each man 'tis better</p> +<p>That his friend he awreak than weep overmuch.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">81</span> +<a name = "page81" id = "page81"> </a> +<p>Lo! each of us soothly abideth the ending</p> +<p>Of the life of the world. Then let him work who work may</p> +<p>High deeds ere the death: to the doughty of war-lads</p> +<p>When he is unliving shall it best be hereafter.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1390</span> +<p>Rise up, warder of kingdom! and swiftly now wend we</p> +<p>The Grendel Kinswoman's late goings to look on;</p> +<p>And this I behote thee, that to holm shall she flee not,</p> +<p>Nor into earth's fathom, nor into the fell-holt,</p> +<p>Nor the grounds of the ocean, go whereas she will go.</p> +<p>For this one of days patience dree thou a while then</p> +<p>Of each one of thy woes, as I ween it of thee.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then leapt up the old man, and lightly gave God thank,</p> +<p>That mighty of Lords, for the word which the man spake.</p> +<p>And for Hrothgar straightway then was bitted a horse,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1400</span> +<p>A wave-maned steed: and the wise of the princes</p> +<p>Went stately his ways; and stepp'd out the man-troop,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">82</span> +<a name = "page82" id = "page82"> </a> +<p>The linden-board bearers. Now lightly the tracks were</p> +<p>All through the woodland ways wide to be seen there,</p> +<p>Her goings o'er ground; she had gotten her forthright</p> +<p>Over the mirk-moor: bore she of kindred thanes</p> +<p>The best that there was, all bare of his soul,</p> +<p>Of them that with Hrothgar heeded the home.</p> +<p>Overwent then that bairn of the athelings</p> +<p>Steep bents of the stones, and stridings full narrow,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1410</span> +<p>Strait paths nothing pass'd over, ways all uncouth,</p> +<p>Sheer nesses to wit, many houses of nicors.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +He one of the few was going before</p> +<p>Of the wise of the men the meadow to look on,</p> +<p>Until suddenly there the trees of the mountains</p> +<p>Over the hoar-stone found he a-leaning,</p> +<p>A wood without gladness: the water stood under</p> +<p>Dreary and troubled. Unto all the Danes was it,</p> +<p>To the friends of the Scyldings, most grievous in mood</p> +<p>To many of thanes such a thing to be tholing,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1420</span> +<p>Sore evil to each one of earls, for of Aeschere</p> +<p>The head did they find e'en there on the holm-cliff;</p> +<p>The flood with gore welled (the folk looking on it),</p> +<span class = "pagenum">83</span> +<a name = "page83" id = "page83"> </a> +<p>With hot blood. But whiles then the horn fell to singing</p> +<p>A song of war eager. There sat down the band;</p> +<p>They saw down the water a many of worm-kind,</p> +<p>Sea-drakes seldom seen a-kenning the sound;</p> +<p>Likewise on the ness-bents nicors a-lying,</p> +<p>Who oft on the undern-tide wont are to hold them</p> +<p>A course full of sorrow all over the sail-road.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1430</span> +<p>Now the worms and the wild-deer away did they speed</p> +<p>Bitter and wrath-swollen all as they heard it,</p> +<p>The war-horn a-wailing: but one the Geats' warden</p> +<p>With his bow of the shafts from his life-days there sunder'd,</p> +<p>From his strife of the waves; so that stood in his life-parts</p> +<p>The hard arrow of war; and he in the holm was</p> +<p>The slower in swimming as death away swept him.</p> +<p>So swiftly in sea-waves with boar-spears forsooth</p> +<p>Sharp-hook'd and hard-press'd was he thereupon,</p> +<p>Set on with fierce battle, and on to the ness tugg'd,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1440</span> +<p>The wondrous wave-bearer; and men were beholding</p> +<p>The grisly guest, Beowulf therewith he gear'd him</p> +<span class = "pagenum">84</span> +<a name = "page84" id = "page84"> </a> +<p>With weed of the earls: nowise of life reck'd he:</p> +<p>Needs must his war-byrny, braided by hands,</p> +<p>Wide, many-colour'd by cunning, the sound seek,</p> +<p>E'en that which his bone-coffer knew how to ward,</p> +<p>So that the war-grip his heart ne'er a while,</p> +<p>The foe-snatch of the wrathful his life ne'er should scathe;</p> +<p>Therewith the white war-helm warded his head,</p> +<p>E'en that which should mingle with ground of the mere,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1450</span> +<p>And seek the sound-welter, with treasure beworthy'd,</p> +<p>All girt with the lordly chains, as in days gone by</p> +<p>The weapon-smith wrought it most wondrously done,</p> +<p>Beset with the swine-shapes, so that sithence</p> +<p>The brand or the battle-blades never might bite it.</p> +<p>Nor forsooth was that littlest of all of his mainstays,</p> +<p>Which to him in his need lent the spokesman of Hrothgar,</p> +<p>E'en the battle-sword hafted that had to name Hrunting,</p> +<p>That in fore days was one of the treasures of old,</p> +<p>The edges of iron with the poison twigs o'er-stain'd,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1460</span> +<p>With battle-sweat harden'd; in the brunt never fail'd he</p> +<span class = "pagenum">85</span> +<a name = "page85" id = "page85"> </a> +<p>Any one of the warriors whose hand wound about him,</p> +<p>Who in grisly wayfarings durst ever to wend him</p> +<p>To the folk-stead of foemen. Not the first of times was it</p> +<p>That battle-work doughty it had to be doing.</p> +<p>Forsooth naught remember'd that son there of Ecglaf,</p> +<p>The crafty in mighty deeds, what ere he quoth</p> +<a name = "line1467" id = "line1467"> </a> +<p>All drunken with wine, when the weapon he lent</p> +<p>To a doughtier sword-wolf: himself naught he durst it</p> +<p>Under war of the waves there his life to adventure</p> +<span class = "linenum">1470</span> +<p>And warrior-ship work. So forwent he the glory,</p> +<p>The fair fame of valour. Naught far'd so the other</p> +<p>Syth he to the war-tide had gear'd him to wend.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXIII" id = "chapXXIII"> +XXIII. BEOWULF REACHETH THE MERE-BOTTOM IN A DAY’S WHILE, +AND CONTENDS WITH GRENDEL’S DAM.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Out</span> +then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Forsooth be thou mindful, O great son of Healfdene,</p> +<p>O praise of the princes, now way-fain am I,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">86</span> +<a name = "page86" id = "page86"> </a> +<p>O gold-friend of men, what we twain spake aforetime:</p> +<p>If to me for thy need it might so befall</p> +<p>That I cease from my life-days, thou shouldest be ever</p> +<p>To me, forth away wended, in the stead of a father.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1480</span> +<p>Do thou then bear in hand these thanes of my kindred,</p> +<p>My hand-fellows, if so be battle shall have me;</p> +<p>Those same treasures withal, which thou gavest me erst,</p> +<p>O Hrothgar the lief, unto Hygelac send thou;</p> +<p>By that gold then shall wot the lord of the Geat-folk,</p> +<p>Shall Hrethel's son see, when he stares on the treasure,</p> +<p>That I in fair man-deeds a good one have found me,</p> +<p>A ring-giver; while I might, joy made I thereof.</p> +<p>And let thou then Unferth the ancient loom have,</p> +<p>The wave-sword adorned, that man kenned widely,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1490</span> +<p>The blade of hard edges; for I now with Hrunting</p> +<p>Will work me the glory, or else shall death get me.</p> + +<a name = "line1492" id = "line1492"> </a> +<p class = "inset"> +So after these words the Weder-Geats' chieftain</p> +<p>With might of heart hasten'd; nor for answer then would he</p> +<span class = "pagenum">87</span> +<a name = "page87" id = "page87"> </a> +<p>Aught tarry; the sea-welter straightway took hold on</p> +<p>The warrior of men: wore the while of a daytide</p> +<p>Or ever the ground-plain might he set eyes on.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Soon did she find, she who the flood-ring</p> +<p>Sword-ravening had held for an hundred of seasons,</p> +<p>Greedy and grim, that there one man of grooms</p> +<span class = "linenum">1500</span> +<p>The abode of the alien-wights sought from above;</p> +<p>Then toward him she grasp'd and gat hold on the warrior</p> +<p>With fell clutch, but no sooner she scathed withinward</p> +<p>The hale body; rings from without-ward it warded,</p> +<p>That she could in no wise the war-skin clutch through,</p> +<p>The fast locked limb-sark, with fingers all loathly.</p> +<p>So bare then that sea-wolf when she came unto bottom</p> +<p>The king of the rings to the court-hall adown</p> +<p>In such wise that he might not, though hard-moody was he,</p> +<p>Be wielding of weapons. But a many of wonders</p> +<span class = "linenum">1510</span> +<p>In sea-swimming swink'd him, and many a sea-deer</p> +<p>With his war-tusks was breaking his sark of the battle;</p> +<p>The fell wights him follow'd. 'Twas then the earl found it</p> +<span class = "pagenum">88</span> +<a name = "page88" id = "page88"> </a> +<p>That in foe-hall there was he, I wot not of which,</p> +<p>Where never the water might scathe him a whit,</p> +<p>Nor because of the roof-hall might reach to him there</p> +<p>The fear-grip of the flood. Now fire-light he saw,</p> +<p>The bleak beam forsooth all brightly a-shining.</p> +<p>Then the good one, he saw the wolf of the ground,</p> +<p>The mere-wife the mighty, and main onset made he</p> +<span class = "linenum">1520</span> +<p>With his battle-bill; never his hand withheld sword-swing</p> +<p>So that there on her head sang the ring-sword forsooth</p> +<p>The song of war greedy. But then found the guest</p> +<p>That the beam of the battle would bite not therewith,</p> +<p>Or scathe life at all, but there failed the edge</p> +<p>The king in his need. It had ere thol'd a many</p> +<p>Of meetings of hand; oft it sheared the helm,</p> +<p>The host-rail of the fey one; and then was the first time</p> +<p>For that treasure dear lov'd that its might lay a-low.</p> +<p>But therewithal steadfast, naught sluggish of valour,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1530</span> +<p>All mindful of high deeds was Hygelac's kinsman.</p> +<p>Cast then the wounden blade bound with the gem-stones</p> +<span class = "pagenum">89</span> +<a name = "page89" id = "page89"> </a> +<p>The warrior all angry, that it lay on the earth there,</p> +<p>Stiff-wrought and steel-edged. In strength now he trusted,</p> +<p>The hard hand-grip of might and main; so shall a man do</p> +<p>When he in the war-tide yet looketh to winning</p> +<p>The praise that is longsome, nor aught for life careth.</p> +<p>Then fast by the shoulder, of the feud nothing recking,</p> +<p>The lord of the War-Geats clutch'd Grendel's mother,</p> +<p>Cast down the battle-hard, bollen with anger,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1540</span> +<p>That foe of the life, till she bow'd to the floor;</p> +<p>But swiftly to him gave she back the hand-guerdon</p> +<p>With hand-graspings grim, and griped against him;</p> +<p>Then mood-weary stumbled the strongest of warriors,</p> +<p>The foot-kemp, until that adown there he fell.</p> +<p>Then she sat on the hall-guest and tugg'd out her sax,<!--playing jazz!?--></p> +<p>The broad and brown-edged, to wreak her her son,</p> +<p>Her offspring her own. But lay yet on his shoulder</p> +<p>The breast-net well braided, the berg of his life,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">90</span> +<a name = "page90" id = "page90"> </a> +<p>That 'gainst point and 'gainst edge the entrance withstood.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1550</span> +<p>Gone amiss then forsooth had been Ecgtheow's son</p> +<p>Underneath the wide ground there, the kemp of the Geats,</p> +<p>Save to him his war-byrny had fram'd him a help,</p> +<p>The hard host-net; and save that the Lord God the Holy</p> +<p>Had wielded the war-gain, the Lord the All-wise;</p> +<p>Save that the skies' Ruler had rightwisely doom'd it</p> +<p>All easily. Sithence he stood up again.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXIV" id = "chapXXIV"> +XXIV. BEOWULF SLAYETH GRENDEL’S DAM, SMITETH OFF GRENDEL’S HEAD, +AND COMETH BACK WITH HIS THANES TO HART.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Midst</span> +the war-gear he saw then a bill victory-wealthy,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +An old sword of eotens full doughty of edges,</p> +<p>The worship of warriors. That was choice of all weapons,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1560</span> +<p>Save that more was it made than any man other</p> +<p>In the battle-play ever might bear it afield,</p> +<p>So goodly, all glorious, the work of the giants.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">91</span> +<a name = "page91" id = "page91"> </a> +<p>Then the girdled hilt seiz'd he, the Wolf of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>The rough and the sword-grim, and drew forth the ring-sword,</p> +<p>Naught weening of life, and wrathful he smote then</p> +<p>So that there on her halse the hard edge begripped,</p> +<p>And brake through the bone-rings: the bill all through-waded</p> +<p>Her flesh-sheathing fey; cring'd she down on the floor;</p> +<p>The sword was war-sweaty, the man in his work joy'd.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1570</span> +<p>The bright beam shone forth, the light stood withinward,</p> +<p>E'en as down from the heavens' clear high aloft shineth</p> +<p>The sky's candle. He all along the house scanned;</p> +<p>Then turn'd by the wall along, heav'd up his weapon</p> +<p>Hard by the hilts the Hygelac's thane there,</p> +<p>Ireful one-reded; naught worthless the edge was</p> +<p>Unto the warrior; but rathely now would he</p> +<p>To Grendel make payment of many war-onsets,</p> +<p>Of them that he wrought on the folk of the West Danes</p> +<p>Oftener by mickle than one time alone,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">92</span> +<a name = "page92" id = "page92"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">1580</span> +<p>Whenas he the hearthfellows of Hrothgar the King</p> +<p>Slew in their slumber and fretted them sleeping,</p> +<p>Men fifteen to wit of the folk of the Danes,</p> +<p>And e'en such another deal ferry'd off outward,</p> +<p>Loathly prey. Now he paid him his guerdon therefor,</p> +<p>The fierce champion; so well, that abed there he saw</p> +<p>Where Grendel war-weary was lying adown</p> +<p>Forlorn of his life, as him ere had scathed</p> +<p>The battle at Hart; sprang wide the body,</p> +<p>Sithence after death he suffer'd the stroke,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1590</span> +<p>The hard swing of sword. Then he smote the head off him.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now soon were they seeing, those sage of the carles,</p> +<p>E'en they who with Hrothgar gaz'd down on the holm,</p> +<p>That the surge of the billows was blended about,</p> +<p>The sea stain'd with blood. Therewith the hoar-blended,</p> +<p>The old men, of the good one gat talking together</p> +<p>That they of the Atheling ween'd never eft-soon</p> +<p>That he, glad in his war-gain, should wend him a-seeking</p> +<p>The mighty king, since unto many it seemed</p> +<span class = "pagenum">93</span> +<a name = "page93" id = "page93"> </a> +<p>That him the mere-she-wolf had sunder'd and broken.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1600</span> +<p>Came then nones of the day, and the ness there they gave up,</p> +<p>The Scyldings the brisk; and then busk'd him home thence-ward</p> +<p>The gold-friend of men. But the guests, there they sat</p> +<p>All sick of their mood, and star'd on the mere;</p> +<p>They wist not, they ween'd not if him their own friend-lord</p> +<p>Himself they should see.</p> + +<p class = "inset six">Now that sword began</p> +<p>Because of the war-sweat into icicles war-made,</p> +<p>The war-bill, to wane: that was one of the wonders</p> +<p>That it melted away most like unto ice</p> +<p>When the bond of the frost the Father lets loosen,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1610</span> +<p>Unwindeth the wave-ropes, e'en he that hath wielding</p> +<p>Of times and of seasons, who is the sooth Shaper.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +In those wicks there he took not, the Weder-Geats' champion,</p> +<p>Of treasure-wealth more, though he saw there a many,</p> +<p>Than the off-smitten head and the sword-hilts together</p> +<span class = "pagenum">94</span> +<a name = "page94" id = "page94"> </a> +<p>With treasure made shifting; for the sword-blade was molten,</p> +<p>The sword broider'd was burn'd up, so hot was that blood,</p> +<p>So poisonous the alien ghost there that had died.</p> +<p>Now soon was a-swimming he who erst in the strife bode</p> +<p>The war-onset of wrath ones; he div'd up through the water;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1620</span> +<p>And now were the wave-welters cleansed full well,</p> +<p>Yea the dwellings full wide, where the ghost of elsewhither</p> +<p>Let go of his life-days and the waning of living.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Came then unto land the helm of the ship-lads</p> +<p>Swimming stout-hearted, glad of his sea-spoil,</p> +<p>The burden so mighty of that which he bore there.</p> +<p>Yode then against him and gave thanks to God</p> +<p>That fair heap of thanes, and were fain of their lord,</p> +<p>For that hale and sound now they might see him with eyen;</p> +<p>Then was from the bold one the helm and the byrny</p> +<span class = "linenum">1630</span> +<p>All speedily loosen'd. The lake now was laid,</p> +<p>The water 'neath welkin with war-gore bestained.</p> +<p>Forth then they far'd them alongst of the foot-tracks,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">95</span> +<a name = "page95" id = "page95"> </a> +<p>Men fain of heart all, as they meted the earth-way,</p> +<p>The street the well known; then those king-bold of men</p> +<p>Away from the holm-cliff the head there they bore</p> +<p>Uneasily ever to each one that bore it,</p> +<p>The full stout-heart of men: it was four of them needs must</p> +<p>On the stake of the slaughter with strong toil there ferry</p> +<p>Unto the gold-hall the head of that Grendel;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1640</span> +<p>Until forthright in haste came into that hall,</p> +<p>Fierce, keen in the hosting, a fourteen of men</p> +<p>Of the Geat-folk a-ganging; and with them their lord,</p> +<p>The moody amidst of the throng, trod the mead-plains;</p> +<p>Came then in a-wending the foreman of thanes,</p> +<p>The man keen of his deeds all beworshipp'd of doom,</p> +<p>The hero, the battle-deer, Hrothgar to greet.</p> +<p>Then was by the fell borne in onto the floor</p> +<p>Grendel's head, whereas men were a-drinking in hall,</p> +<p>Aweful before the earls, yea and the woman.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1650</span> +<p>The sight wondrous to see the warriors there look'd on.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">96</span> +<a name = "page96" id = "page96"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXV" id = "chapXXV"> +XXV. CONVERSE OF HROTHGAR WITH BEOWULF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Spake</span> +out then Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +What! we the sea-spoils here to thee, son of Healfdene,</p> +<p>High lord of the Scyldings, with lust have brought hither</p> +<p>For a token of glory, e'en these thou beholdest.</p> +<p>Now I all unsoftly with life I escaped,</p> +<p>In war under the water dar'd I the work</p> +<p>Full hard to be worked, and well-nigh there was</p> +<p>The sundering of strife, save that me God had shielded.</p> +<p>So it is that in battle naught might I with Hrunting</p> +<span class = "linenum">1660</span> +<p>One whit do the work, though the weapon be doughty;</p> +<p>But to me then he granted, the Wielder of men,</p> +<p>That on wall I beheld there all beauteous hanging</p> +<p>An ancient sword, might-endow'd (often he leadeth right</p> +<p>The friendless of men); so forth drew I that weapon.</p> +<p>In that onset I slew there, as hap then appaid me,</p> +<p>The herd of the house; then that bill of the host,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">97</span> +<a name = "page97" id = "page97"> </a> +<p>The broider'd sword, burn'd up, and that blood sprang forth</p> +<p>The hottest of battle-sweats; but the hilts thereof thenceforth</p> +<p>From the foemen I ferry'd. I wreaked the foul deeds,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1670</span> +<p>The death-quelling of Danes, e'en as duly behoved.</p> +<p>Now this I behote thee, that here in Hart mayst thou</p> +<p>Sleep sorrowless henceforth with the host of thy men</p> +<p>And the thanes every one that are of thy people</p> +<p>Of doughty and young; that for them need thou dread not,</p> +<p>O high lord of Scyldings, on that behalf soothly</p> +<p>Life-bale for the earls as erst thou hast done.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then was the hilt golden to the ancient of warriors,</p> +<p>The hoary of host-leaders, into hand given,</p> +<p>The old work of giants; it turn'd to the owning,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1680</span> +<p>After fall of the Devils, of the lord of the Danes,</p> +<p>That work of the wonder-smith, syth gave up the world</p> +<p>The fierce-hearted groom, the foeman of God,</p> +<p>The murder-beguilted, and there eke his mother;</p> +<p>Unto the wielding of world-kings it turned,</p> +<p>The best that there be betwixt of the sea-floods</p> +<a name = "line1686" id = "line1686"> </a> +<p>Of them that in Scaney dealt out the scat.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">98</span> +<a name = "page98" id = "page98"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now spake out Hrothgar, as he look'd on the hilts there,</p> +<p>The old heir-loom whereon was writ the beginning</p> +<p>Of the strife of the old time, whenas the flood slew,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1690</span> +<p>The ocean a-gushing, that kin of the giants</p> +<p>As fiercely they fared. That was a folk alien</p> +<p>To the Lord everlasting; so to them a last guerdon</p> +<p>Through the welling of waters the Wielder did give.</p> +<p>So was on the sword-guards all of the sheer gold</p> +<p>By dint of the rune-staves rightly bemarked,</p> +<p>Set down and said for whom first was that sword wrought,</p> +<p>And the choice of all irons erst had been done,</p> +<p>Wreath-hilted and worm-adorn'd. Then spake the wise one,</p> +<p>Healfdene's son, and all were gone silent:</p> + +<span class = "linenum">1700</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Lo that may he say, who the right and the soothfast</p> +<p>Amid the folk frameth, and far back all remembers,</p> +<p>The old country's warden, that as for this earl here</p> +<p>Born better was he. Uprear'd is the fame-blast</p> +<p>Through wide ways far yonder, O Beowulf, friend mine,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">99</span> +<a name = "page99" id = "page99"> </a> +<p>Of thee o'er all peoples. Thou hold'st all with patience,</p> +<p>Thy might with mood-wisdom; I shall make thee my love good,</p> +<p>As we twain at first spake it. For a comfort thou shalt be</p> +<p>Granted long while and long unto thy people,</p> +<a name = "line1709" id = "line1709"> </a> +<p>For a help unto heroes. Naught such became Heremod</p> +<span class = "linenum">1710</span> +<a name = "line1710" id = "line1710"> </a> +<p>To Ecgwela's offspring, the honourful Scyldings;</p> +<p>For their welfare naught wax'd he, but for felling in slaughter,</p> +<p>For the quelling of death to the folk of the Danes.</p> +<p>Mood-swollen he brake there his board-fellows soothly,</p> +<p>His shoulder-friends, until he sunder'd him lonely,</p> +<p>That mighty of princes, from the mirth of all men-folk.</p> +<p>Though him God the mighty in the joyance of might,</p> +<p>In main strength, exalted high over all-men,</p> +<p>And framed him forth, yet fast in his heart grew</p> +<p>A breast-hoard blood-fierce; none of fair rings he gave</p> +<span class = "linenum">1720</span> +<p>To the Danes as due doom would. Unmerry he dured</p> +<p>So that yet of that strife the trouble he suffer'd.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">100</span> +<a name = "page100" id = "page100"> </a> +<p>A folk-bale so longsome. By such do thou learn thee,</p> +<p>Get thee hold of man-valour: this tale for thy teaching</p> +<p>Old in winters I tell thee. 'Tis wonder to say it,</p> +<p>How the high God almighty to the kindred of mankind</p> +<p>Through his mind the wide-fashion'd deals wisdom about,</p> +<p>Home and earlship; he owneth the wielding of all.</p> +<p>At whiles unto love he letteth to turn</p> +<p>The mood-thought of a man that Is mighty of kindred,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1730</span> +<p>And in his land giveth him joyance of earth,</p> +<p>And to have and to hold the high ward-burg of men,</p> +<p>And sets so 'neath his wielding the deals of the world,</p> +<p>Dominion wide reaching, that he himself may not</p> +<p>In all his unwisdom of the ending bethink him.</p> +<p>He wonneth well-faring, nothing him wasteth</p> +<p>Sickness nor eld, nor the foe-sorrow to him</p> +<p>Dark in mind waxeth, nor strife any where,</p> +<p>The edge-hate, appeareth; but all the world for him</p> +<p>Wends as he willeth, and the worse naught he wotteth.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">101</span> +<a name = "page101" id = "page101"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXVI" id = "chapXXVI"> +XXVI. MORE CONVERSE OF HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF: +THE GEATS MAKE THEM READY FOR DEPARTURE.</a></h4> + + +<span class = "linenum">1740</span> +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Until</span> +that within him a deal of o'erthink-ing</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Waxeth and groweth while sleepeth the warder,</p> +<p>The soul's herdsman; that slumber too fast is forsooth,</p> +<p>Fast bounden by troubles, the banesman all nigh,</p> +<p>E'en he that from arrow-bow evilly shooteth.</p> +<p>Then he in his heart under helm is besmitten</p> +<p>With a bitter shaft; not a whit then may he ward him</p> +<p>From the wry wonder-biddings of the ghost the all-wicked.</p> +<p>Too little he deems that which long he hath hold.</p> +<p>Wrath-greedy he covets; nor e'en for boast-sake gives</p> +<span class = "linenum">1750</span> +<p>The rings fair beplated; and the forth-coming doom</p> +<p>Forgetteth, forheedeth, for that God gave him erewhile,</p> +<p>The Wielder of glory, a deal of the worship.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">102</span> +<a name = "page102" id = "page102"> </a> +<p>At the ending-stave then it after befalleth</p> +<p>That the shell of his body sinks fleeting away,</p> +<p>And falleth all fey; and another one fetcheth,</p> +<p>E'en one that undolefully dealeth the treasure,</p> +<p>The earl's gains of aforetime, and fear never heedeth.</p> +<p>From the bale-envy ward thee, lief Beowulf, therefore,</p> +<p>Thou best of all men, and choose thee the better,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1760</span> +<p>The redes everlasting; to o'erthinkirig turn not,</p> +<p>O mighty of champions! for now thy might breatheth</p> +<p>For a short while of time; but eft-soon it shall be</p> +<p>That sickness or edges from thy strength thee shall sunder,</p> +<p>Or the hold of the fire, or the welling of floods,</p> +<p>Or the grip of the sword-blade, or flight of the spear,</p> +<p>Or eld the all-evil: or the beaming of eyen</p> +<p>Shall fail and shall dim: then shall it be forthright</p> +<p>That thee, lordly man, the death over-masters.</p> +<p>E'en so I the Ring-Danes for an hundred of seasons</p> +<span class = "linenum">1770</span> +<p>Did wield under the welkin and lock'd them by war</p> +<p>From many a kindred the Middle-Garth over</p> +<span class = "pagenum">103</span> +<a name = "page103" id = "page103"> </a> +<p>With ash-spears and edges, in such wise that not ever</p> +<p>Under the sky's run of my foemen I reckoned.</p> +<p>What! to me in my land came a shifting of that,</p> +<p>Came grief after game, sithence Grendel befell,</p> +<p>My foeman of old, mine ingoer soothly.</p> +<p>I from that onfall bore ever unceasing</p> +<p>Mickle mood-care; herefor be thanks to the Maker,</p> +<p>To the Lord everlasting, that in life I abided,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1780</span> +<p>Yea, that I on that head all sword-gory there,</p> +<p>Now the old strife is over, with eyen should stare.</p> +<p>Go fare thou to settle, the feast-joyance dree thou,</p> +<p>O war-worshipp'd! unto us twain yet there will be</p> +<p>Mickle treasure in common when come is the morning.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Glad of mood then the Geat was, and speedy he gat him</p> +<p>To go see the settle, as the sage one commanded.</p> +<p>Then was after as erst, that they of the might-fame,</p> +<p>The floor-sitters, fairly the feasting bedight them</p> +<p>All newly. The helm of the night loured over</p> +<span class = "linenum">1790</span> +<p>Dark over the host-men. Uprose all the doughty,</p> +<p>For he, the hoar-blended, would wend to his bed,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">104</span> +<a name = "page104" id = "page104"> </a> +<p>That old man of the Scyldings. The Geat without measure,</p> +<p>The mighty shield-warrior, now willed him rest.</p> +<p>And soon now the hall-thane him of way-faring weary,</p> +<p>From far away come, forth show'd him the road,</p> +<p>E'en he who for courtesy cared for all things</p> +<p>Of the needs of the thane, e'en such as on that day</p> +<p>The farers o'er ocean would fainly have had.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Rested then the wide-hearted; high up the house tower'd</p> +<span class = "linenum">1800</span> +<p>Wide-gaping all gold-dight; within slept the guest;</p> +<p>Until the black raven, the blithe-hearted, boded</p> +<p>The heavens' joy: then was come thither a-hastening</p> +<p>The bright sun o'er the plains, and hastened the scathers,</p> +<p>The athelings once more aback to their people</p> +<p>All fain to be faring; and far away thence</p> +<p>Would the comer high-hearted go visit his keel.</p> +<p>Bade then the hard one Hrunting to bear,</p> +<a name = "line1808" id = "line1808"> </a> +<p>The Ecglaf's son bade to take him his sword,</p> +<p>The iron well-lov'd; gave him thanks for the lending,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1810</span> +<p>Quoth he that the war-friend for worthy he told,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">105</span> +<a name = "page105" id = "page105"> </a> +<p>Full of craft in the war; nor with word he aught</p> +<p>The edge of the sword. Hah! the high-hearted warrior.</p> +<p>So whenas all way-forward, yare in their war-gear,</p> +<p>Were the warriors, the dear one then went to the Danes,</p> +<p>To the high seat went the Atheling, whereas was the other;</p> +<p>The battle-bold warrior gave greeting to Hrothgar.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXVII" id = "chapXXVII"> +XXVII. BEOWULF BIDS HROTHGAR FAREWELL: THE GEATS FARE TO SHIP.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Out</span> +then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +As now we sea-farers have will to be saying,</p> +<p>We from afar come, that now are we fainest</p> +<span class = "linenum">1820</span> +<p>Of seeking to Hygelac. Here well erst were we</p> +<p>Serv'd as our wills would, and well thine avail was.</p> +<p>If I on the earth then, be it e'en but a little,</p> +<p>Of the love of thy mood may yet more be an-earning,</p> +<p>O lord of the men-folk, than heretofore might I,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">106</span> +<a name = "page106" id = "page106"> </a> +<p>Of the works of the battle yare then soon shall I be.</p> +<p>If I should be learning, I over the flood's run,</p> +<p>That the sitters about thee beset thee with dread,</p> +<p>Even thee hating as otherwhile did they;</p> +<p>Then thousands to theeward of thanes shall I bring</p> +<span class = "linenum">1830</span> +<p>For the helping of heroes. Of Hygelac wot I,</p> +<p>The lord of the Geat-folk, though he be but a youngling,</p> +<p>That shepherd of folk, that me will he further</p> +<p>By words and by works, that well may I ward thee,</p> +<p>And unto thine helping the spear-holt may bear,</p> +<p>A main-staying mighty, whenas men thou art needing.</p> +<a name = "line1836" id = "line1836"> </a> +<p>And if therewith Hrethric in the courts of the Geat-house,</p> +<p>The King's bairn, take hosting, then may he a many</p> +<p>Of friends find him soothly: far countries shall be</p> +<p>Better sought to by him who for himself is doughty.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">1840</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Out then spake Hrothgar in answer to himward:</p> +<p>Thy word-saying soothly the Lord of all wisdom</p> +<p>Hath sent into thy mind; never heard I more sagely</p> +<span class = "pagenum">107</span> +<a name = "page107" id = "page107"> </a> +<p>In a life that so young was a man word be laying;</p> +<p>Strong of might and main art thou and sage of thy mood,</p> +<p>Wise the words of thy framing. Tell I this for a weening,</p> +<p>If it so come to pass that the spear yet shall take,</p> +<p>Or the battle all sword-grim, the son of that Hrethel,</p> +<p>Or sickness or iron thine Alderman have,</p> +<p>Thy shepherd of folk, and thou fast to life hold thee,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1850</span> +<p>Then no better than thee may the Sea-Geats be having</p> +<p>To choose for themselves, no one of the kings,</p> +<p>Hoard-warden of heroes, if then thou wilt hold</p> +<p>Thy kinsman's own kingdom. Me liketh thy mood-heart,</p> +<p>The longer the better, O Beowulf the lief;</p> +<p>In such wise hast thou fared, that unto the folks now,</p> +<p>The folk of the Geats and the Gar-Danes withal,</p> +<p>In common shall peace be, and strife rest appeased</p> +<p>And the hatreds the doleful which erst they have dreed;</p> +<p>Shall become, whiles I wield it, this wide realm of ours,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">108</span> +<a name = "page108" id = "page108"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">1860</span> +<p>Treasures common to either folk: many a one other</p> +<p>With good things shall greet o'er the bath of the gannet;</p> +<p>And the ring'd bark withal over sea shall be bringing</p> +<p>The gifts and love-tokens. The twain folks I know</p> +<p>Toward foeman toward friend fast-fashion'd together,</p> +<p>In every way blameless as in the old wise.</p> +<p>Then the refuge of warriors, he gave him withal,</p> +<p>Gave Healfdene's son of treasures yet twelve;</p> +<p>And he bade him with those gifts to go his own people</p> +<p>To seek in all soundness, and swiftly come back.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1870</span> +<p>Then kissed the king, he of noble kin gotten,</p> +<p>The lord of the Scyldings, that best of the thanes,</p> +<p>By the halse then he took him; from him fell the tears</p> +<p>From the blended of hoar hair. Of both things was there hoping</p> +<p>To the old, the old wise one; yet most of the other,</p> +<p>To wit, that they sithence each each might be seeing,</p> +<p>The high-heart in council. To him so lief was he</p> +<span class = "pagenum">109</span> +<a name = "page109" id = "page109"> </a> +<p>That he his breast-welling might nowise forbear,</p> +<p>But there in his bosom, bound fast in his heart-bonds,</p> +<p>After that dear man a longing dim-hidden</p> +<span class = "linenum">1880</span> +<p>Burn'd against blood-tie. So Beowulf thenceforth,</p> +<p>The gold-proud of warriors, trod the mould grassy,</p> +<p>Exulting in gold-store. The sea-ganger bided</p> +<p>Its owning-lord whereas at anchor it rode.</p> +<p>Then was there in going the gift of King Hrothgar</p> +<p>Oft highly accounted; yea, that was a king</p> +<p>In every wise blameless, till eld took from him eftsoon</p> +<p>The joyance of might, as it oft scathes a many.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXVIII" id = "chapXXVIII"> +XXVIII. BEOWULF COMES BACK TO HIS LAND. OF THE TALE OF THRYTHO.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Came</span> +a many to flood then all mighty of mood,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Of the bachelors were they, and ring-nets they bore,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1890</span> +<p>The limb-sarks belocked. The land-warden noted</p> +<p>The earls' aback-faring, as erst he beheld them;</p> +<p>Then nowise with harm from the nose of the cliff</p> +<span class = "pagenum">110</span> +<a name = "page110" id = "page110"> </a> +<p>The guests there he greeted, but rode unto themward,</p> +<p>And quoth that full welcome to the folk of the Weders</p> +<p>The bright-coated warriors were wending to ship.</p> +<p>Then was on the sand there the bark the wide-sided</p> +<p>With war-weed beladen, the ring-stemm'd as she lay there</p> +<p>With mares and with treasure; uptower'd the mast</p> +<p>High over Hrothgar's wealth of the hoards.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">1900</span> +<p class = "inset"> +He then to the boat-warden handsel'd a gold-bounden</p> +<p>Sword, so that sithence was he on mead-bench</p> +<p>Worthy'd the more for that very same wealth,</p> +<p>The heirloom. Sithence in the ship he departed</p> +<p>To stir the deep water; the Dane-land he left.</p> +<p>Then was by the mast there one of the sea-rails,</p> +<p>A sail, with rope made fast; thunder'd the sound-wood.</p> +<p>Not there the wave-floater did the wind o'er the billows</p> +<p>Waft off from its ways; the sea-wender fared,</p> +<p>Floated the foamy-neck'd forth o'er the waves,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1910</span> +<p>The bounden-stemm'd over the streams of the sea;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">111</span> +<a name = "page111" id = "page111"> </a> +<p>Till the cliffs of the Geats there they gat them to wit,</p> +<p>The nesses well kenned. Throng'd up the keel then</p> +<p>Driven hard by the lift, and stood on the land.</p> +<p>Then speedy at holm was the hythe-warden yare,</p> +<p>E'en he who a long while after the lief men</p> +<p>Eager at stream's side far off had looked.</p> +<p>To the sand thereon bound he the wide-fathom'd ship</p> +<p>With anchor-bands fast, lest from them the waves' might</p> +<p>The wood that was winsome should drive thence awayward.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">1920</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Thereon bade he upbear the athelings' treasures,</p> +<p>The fretwork and wrought gold. Not far from them thenceforth</p> +<p>To seek to the giver of treasures it was,</p> +<p>E'en Hygelac, Hrethel's son, where at home wonneth</p> +<p>Himself and his fellows hard by the sea-wall.</p> +<p>Brave was the builded house, bold king the lord was,</p> +<p>High were the walls, Hygd very young,</p> +<p>Wise and well-thriven, though few of winters</p> +<p>Under the burg-locks had she abided,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">112</span> +<a name = "page112" id = "page112"> </a> +<a name = "line1929" id = "line1929"> </a> +<p>The daughter of Hęreth; naught was she dastard;</p> +<span class = "linenum">1930</span> +<p>Nowise niggard of gifts to the folk of the Geats,</p> +<a name = "line1931" id = "line1931"> </a> +<p>Of wealth of the treasures. But wrath Thrytho bore,</p> +<p>The folk-queen the fierce, wrought the crime-deed full fearful.</p> +<p>No one there durst it, the bold one, to dare,</p> +<p>Of the comrades beloved, save only her lord,</p> +<p>That on her by day with eyen he stare,</p> +<p>But if to him death-bonds predestin'd he count on,</p> +<p>Hand-wreathed; thereafter all rathely it was</p> +<p>After the hand-grip the sword-blade appointed,</p> +<p>That the cunning-wrought sword should show forth the deed,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1940</span> +<p>Make known the murder-bale. Naught is such queenlike</p> +<p>For a woman to handle, though peerless she be,</p> +<p>That a weaver of peace the life should waylay,</p> +<p>For a shame that was lying, of a lief man of men;</p> +<a name = "line1944" id = "line1944"> </a> +<p>But the kinsman of Hemming, he hinder'd it surely.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Yet the drinkers of ale otherwise said they;</p> +<p>That folk-bales, which were lesser, she framed forsooth,</p> +<p>Lesser enmity-malice, since thence erst she was</p> +<p>Given gold-deck'd to the young one of champions,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">113</span> +<a name = "page113" id = "page113"> </a> +<a name = "line1949" id = "line1949"> </a> +<p>She the dear of her lineage, since Offa's floor</p> +<span class = "linenum">1950</span> +<p>Over the fallow flood by the lore of her father</p> +<p>She sought in her wayfaring. Well was she sithence</p> +<p>There on the man-throne mighty with good;</p> +<p>Her shaping of life well brooked she living;</p> +<p>High love she held toward the lord of the heroes;</p> +<p>Of all kindred of men by the hearsay of me</p> +<p>The best of all was he the twain seas beside,</p> +<p>Of the measureless kindred; thereof Offa was</p> +<p>For gifts and for war, the spear-keen of men,</p> +<p>Full widely beworthy'd, with wisdom he held</p> +<span class = "linenum">1960</span> +<p>The land of his heritage. Thence awoke Eomęr</p> +<a name = "line1961" id = "line1961"> </a> +<p>For a help unto heroes, the kinsman of Hemming,</p> +<p>The grandson of Garmund, the crafty in war-strife.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXIX" id = "chapXXIX"> +XXIX. BEOWULF TELLS HYGELAC OF HROTHGAR: ALSO OF FREAWARU HIS DAUGHTER.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Went</span> +his ways then the hard one, and he with his hand-shoal,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Himself over the sand the sea-plain a-treading,</p> +<p>The warths wide away; shone the world's candle,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">114</span> +<a name = "page114" id = "page114"> </a> +<p>The sun slop'd from the southward; so dreed they their journey,</p> +<p>And went their ways stoutly unto where the earls' refuge,</p> +<a name = "line1968" id = "line1968"> </a> +<p>The banesman of Ongentheow all in his burgs there,</p> +<p>The young king of war, the good, as they heard it.</p> +<span class = "linenum">1970</span> +<p>Was dealing the rings. Aright unto Hygelac</p> +<p>Was Beowulf's speeding made knowen full swiftly,</p> +<p>That there into the house-place that hedge of the warriors,</p> +<p>His mate of the linden-board, living was come,</p> +<p>Hale from the battle-play home to him houseward.</p> +<p>Then rathe was beroomed, as the rich one was bidding,</p> +<p>For the guests a-foot going the floor all withinward.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then sat in the face of him he from the fight sav'd,</p> +<p>Kinsman by kinsman, whenas his man-lord</p> +<p>In fair-sounding speech had greeted the faithful</p> +<span class = "linenum">1980</span> +<p>With mightyful words. With mead-skinking turned</p> +<a name = "line1981" id = "line1981"> </a> +<p>Through the high house adown the daughter of Hęreth:</p> +<span class = "pagenum">115</span> +<a name = "page115" id = "page115"> </a> +<p>The people she loved: the wine-bucket bare she</p> +<p>To the hands of the men. But now fell to Hygelac</p> +<p>His very house-fellow in that hall the high</p> +<p>To question full fairly, for wit-lust to-brake him,</p> +<p>Of what like were the journeys the Sea-Geats had wended:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +How befell you the sea-lode, O Beowulf lief,</p> +<p>When thou on a sudden bethoughtst thee afar</p> +<p>Over the salt water the strife to be seeking,</p> +<span class = "linenum">1990</span> +<p>The battle in Hart? or for Hrothgar forsooth</p> +<p>The wide-kenned woe some whit didst thou mend,</p> +<p>For that mighty of lords? I therefore the mood-care</p> +<p>In woe-wellings seethed; trow'd not in the wending</p> +<p>Of thee the lief man. A long while did I pray thee</p> +<p>That thou the death-guest there should greet not a whit;</p> +<p>Wouldst let those same South-Danes their own selves to settle</p> +<p>The war-tide with Grendel. Now to God say I thank</p> +<p>That thee, and thee sound, now may I see.</p> +<p>Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<span class = "linenum">2000</span> +<p>All undark it is, O Hygelac lord,</p> +<p>That meeting the mighty, to a many of men;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">116</span> +<a name = "page116" id = "page116"> </a> +<p>Of what like was the meeting of Grendel and me</p> +<p>On that field of the deed, where he many a deal</p> +<p>For the Victory-Scyldings of sorrow had framed,</p> +<p>And misery for ever; but all that I awreaked,</p> +<p>So that needeth not boast any kinsman of Grendel</p> +<p>Any one upon earth of that uproar of dawn-dusk,</p> +<p>Nay not who lives longest of that kindred the loathly</p> +<p>Encompass'd of fenland. Thither first did I come</p> +<span class = "linenum">2010</span> +<p>Unto that ring-hall Hrothgar to greet;</p> +<p>Soon unto me the great Healfdene's son,</p> +<p>So soon as my heart he was wotting forsooth.</p> +<p>Right against his own son a settle there showed.</p> +<p>All that throng was in joy, nor life-long saw I ever</p> +<p>Under vault of the heavens amidst any hall-sitters</p> +<p>More mirth of the mead. There the mighty Queen whiles,</p> +<p>Peace-sib of the folk, went all over the floor,</p> +<p>To the young sons bade heart up; oft she there the ring-wreath</p> +<p>Gave unto a man ere to settle she wended.</p> +<span class = "linenum">2020</span> +<p>At whiles fore the doughty the daughter of Hrothgar</p> +<p>To the earls at the end the ale-bucket bore;</p> +<a name = "line2022" id = "line2022"> </a> +<p>E'en she whom Freawaru the floor-sitters thereat</p> +<p>Heard I to name; where she the nail'd treasure</p> +<span class = "pagenum">117</span> +<a name = "page117" id = "page117"> </a> +<p>Gave to the warriors. She was behight then</p> +<a name = "line2025" id = "line2025"> </a> +<p>Youngling and gold-dight to the glad son of Froda.</p> +<p>This hath seemed fair to the friend of the Scyldings,</p> +<p>The herd of the realm, and good rede he accounts it,</p> +<p>That he with that wife of death-feuds a deal</p> +<p>And of strifes should allay. Oft unseldom eachwhere</p> +<span class = "linenum">2030</span> +<p>After a lord's fall e'en but for a little</p> +<p>Bows down the bane-spear, though doughty the bride be.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXX" id = "chapXXX"> +XXX. BEOWULF FOREBODES ILL FROM THE WEDDING OF FREAWARU: +HE TELLS OF GRENDEL AND HIS DAM.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Ill-liking</span> +this may be to the lord of the Heathobards,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +And to each of the thanes of that same people.</p> +<p>When he with fair bride on the floor of hall wendeth,</p> +<p>That the Dane's noble bairn his doughty should wait on,</p> +<p>As on him glisten there the heirlooms of the aged,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">118</span> +<a name = "page118" id = "page118"> </a> +<p>Hard and with rings bedight, Heathobards' treasure,</p> +<p>Whileas the weapons yet they might wield;</p> +<p>Till astray did they lead there at the lind-play</p> +<span class = "linenum">2040</span> +<p>Their own fellows belov'd and their very own lives.</p> +<p>For then saith at the beer, he who seeth the ring,</p> +<p>An ancient ash-warrior who mindeth of all</p> +<p>The spear-death of men; grim is he of mind;</p> +<p>Sad of mood he beginneth to tell the young champion.</p> +<p>Through the thought of his heart his mind there to try,</p> +<p>The war-bale to waken, and sayeth this word:</p> +<p>Mayest thou, friend mine, wot of the war-sword,</p> +<p>That which thy father bore in the fight</p> +<p>Under the war-mask e'en on the last time,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2050</span> +<p>That the dear iron, whereas the Danes slew him,</p> +<a name = "line2051" id = "line2051"> </a> +<p>Wielded the death-field, since Withergyld lay,</p> +<p>After fall of the heroes, the keen-hearted Scyldings?</p> +<p>Now here of those banesmen the son, whoseso he be,</p> +<p>All merry in fretwork forth on floor fareth;</p> +<p>Of the murder he boasteth, and that jewel he beareth,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">119</span> +<a name = "page119" id = "page119"> </a> +<p>E'en that which of right thou shouldest <a name = "arede" id = "arede">arede</a>.</p> +<p>Thus he mindeth and maketh word every of times,</p> +<p>With sore words he telleth, until the time cometh</p> +<p>That the thane of the fair bride for the deeds of his father</p> +<span class = "linenum">2060</span> +<p>After bite of the bill sleepeth all blood-stain'd,</p> +<p>All forfeit of life; but thenceforth the other</p> +<p>Escapeth alive; the land well he kenneth;</p> +<p>Then will be broken on both sides forsooth</p> +<a name = "line2064" id = "line2064"> </a> +<p>The oath-swearing of earls, whenas unto Ingeld</p> +<p>Well up the death-hatreds, and the wife-loves of him</p> +<p>Because of the care-wellings cooler become.</p> +<p>Therefore the Heathobards' faith I account not,</p> +<p>Their deal of the folk-peace, unguileful to Danes,</p> +<p>Their fast-bounden friendship. Henceforth must I speak on</p> +<span class = "linenum">2070</span> +<p>Again about Grendel, that thou get well to know it,</p> +<p>O treasure-out-dealer, how sithence betided</p> +<p>The hand-race of heroes: sithence heaven's gem</p> +<p>All over the grounds glided, came the wroth guest,</p> +<p>The dire night-angry one us to go look on,</p> +<p>Whereas we all sound were warding the hall.</p> +<p>There then for Handshoe was battle abiding,</p> +<p>Life-bale to the fey; he first lay alow,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">120</span> +<a name = "page120" id = "page120"> </a> +<p>The war-champion girded; unto him became Grendel,</p> +<p>To the great thane of kindreds, a banesman of mouth,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2080</span> +<p>Of the man well-beloved the body he swallow'd;</p> +<p>Nor the sooner therefor out empty-handed</p> +<p>The bloody-tooth'd banesman, of bales all bemindful,</p> +<p>Out from that gold-hall yet would he get him;</p> +<p>But he, mighty of main, made trial of me,</p> +<p>And gripp'd ready-handed. His glove hung aloft,</p> +<p>Wondrous and wide, in wily bands fast,</p> +<p>With cunning wiles was it begeared forsooth,</p> +<p>With crafts of the devils and fells of the dragons;</p> +<p>He me withinwards there, me the unsinning,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2090</span> +<p>The doer of big deeds would do me to be</p> +<p>As one of the many; but naught so it might be,</p> +<p>Sithence in mine anger upright I stood.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +'Tis over-long telling how I to the folkscather</p> +<p>For each one of evils out paid the hand-gild.</p> +<p>There I, O my lord king, them thy leal people</p> +<p>Worthy'd with works: but away he gat loosed</p> +<p>Out thence for a little while, brooked yet life-joys;</p> +<p>But his right hand held ward of his track howsoever,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">121</span> +<a name = "page121" id = "page121"> </a> +<p>High upon Hart-hall, and thence away humble</p> +<span class = "linenum">2100</span> +<p>He sad of his mood to the mere-ground fell downward.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Me for that slaughter-race the friend of the Scyldings</p> +<p>With gold that beplated was mickle deal paid,</p> +<p>With a many of treasures, sithence came the morning,</p> +<p>And we to the feast-tide had sat us adown;</p> +<p>Song was and glee there; the elder of Scyldings,</p> +<p>Asking of many things, told of things o'erpast;</p> +<p>Whiles hath the battle-deer there the harp's joy,</p> +<p>The wood of mirth greeted; whiles the lay said he</p> +<p>Soothfast and sorrowful; whiles a spell seldom told</p> +<span class = "linenum">2110</span> +<p>Told he by right, the king roomy-hearted;</p> +<p>Whiles began afterward he by eld bounden,</p> +<p>The aged hoar warrior, of his youth to bewail him,</p> +<p>Its might of the battle; his breast well'd within him,</p> +<p>When he, wont in winters, of many now minded.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +So we there withinward the livelong day's wearing</p> +<p>Took pleasure amongst us, till came upon men</p> +<p>Another of nights; then eftsoons again</p> +<span class = "pagenum">122</span> +<a name = "page122" id = "page122"> </a> +<p>Was yare for the harm-wreak the mother of Grendel:</p> +<p>All sorry she wended, for her son death had taken,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2120</span> +<a name = "line2120" id = "line2120"> </a> +<p>The war-hate of the Weders: that monster of women</p> +<p>Awreaked her bairn, and quelled a warrior</p> +<p>In manner all mighty. Then was there from Aeschere,</p> +<p>The wise man of old, life waning away;</p> +<p>Nor him might they even when come was the morning,</p> +<p>That death-weary wight, the folk of the Danes</p> +<p>Burn up with the brand, nor lade on the bale</p> +<p>The man well-belov'd, for his body she bare off</p> +<p>In her fathom the fiendly all under the fell-stream.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +That was unto Hrothgar of sorrows the heaviest</p> +<span class = "linenum">2130</span> +<p>Of them which the folk-chieftain long had befallen.</p> +<p>Then me did the lord king, and e'en by thy life,</p> +<p>Mood-heavy beseech me that I in the holm-throng</p> +<p>Should do after earlship, my life to adventure,</p> +<p>And frame me main-greatness, and meed he behight me.</p> +<p>Then I of the welling flood, which is well kenned,</p> +<p>The grim and the grisly ground-herder did find.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">123</span> +<a name = "page123" id = "page123"> </a> +<p>There to us for a while was the blending of hands;</p> +<p>The holm welled with gore, and the head I becarved</p> +<p>In that hall of the ground from the Mother of Grendel</p> +<span class = "linenum">2140</span> +<p>With the all-eked edges; unsoftly out thence</p> +<p>My life forth I ferry'd, for not yet was I fey.</p> +<p>But the earls' burg to me was giving thereafter</p> +<p>Much sort of the treasures, e'en Healfdene's son.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXI" id = "chapXXXI"> +XXXI. BEOWULF GIVES HROTHGAR’S GIFTS TO HYGELAC, +AND BY HIM IS REWARDED. OF THE DEATH OF HYGELAC AND OF HEARDRED HIS SON, +AND HOW BEOWULF IS KING OF THE GEATS: THE WORM IS FIRST TOLD OF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">So</span> +therewith the folk-king far'd, living full seemly;</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +By those wages forsooth ne'er a whit had I lost,</p> +<p>By the meed of my main, but to me treasure gave he,</p> +<p>The Healfdene's son, to the doom of myself;</p> +<p>Which to thee, king of bold ones, will I be a-bringing,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">124</span> +<a name = "page124" id = "page124"> </a> +<p>And gladly will give thee; for of thee is all gotten</p> +<span class = "linenum">2150</span> +<p>Of favours along, and but little have I</p> +<p>Of head-kinsmen forsooth, saving, Hygelac, thee.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then he bade them bear in the boar-shape, the head-sign,</p> +<p>The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny all hoary,</p> +<p>The sword stately-good, and spell after he said:</p> +<p>This raiment of war Hrothgar gave to my hand,</p> +<p>The wise of the kings, and therewithal bade me,</p> +<p>That I first of all of his favour should flit thee;</p> +<a name = "line2158" id = "line2158"> </a> +<p>He quoth that first had it King Heorogar of old,</p> +<p>The king of the Scyldings, a long while of time;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2160</span> +<p>But no sooner would he give it unto his son,</p> +<p>Heoroward the well-whet, though kind to him were he,</p> +<p>This weed of the breast. Do thou brook it full well.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +On these fretworks, so heard I, four horses therewith,</p> +<p>All alike, close followed after the track,</p> +<p>Steeds apple-fallow. Fair grace he gave him</p> +<p>Of horses and treasures. E'en thus shall do kinsman,</p> +<p>And nowise a wile-net shall weave for another</p> +<p>With craft of the darkness, or do unto death</p> +<p>His very hand-fellow. But now unto Hygelac</p> +<span class = "pagenum">125</span> +<a name = "page125" id = "page125"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">2170</span> +<p>The bold in the battle was his nephew full faithful,</p> +<p>And either to other of good deeds was mindful.</p> +<p>I heard that the neck-ring to Hygd did he give,</p> +<p>E'en the wonder-gem well-wrought, that Wealh-theow gave him,</p> +<p>The king's daughter; gave he three steeds therewithal</p> +<p>Slender, and saddle-bright; sithence to her was,</p> +<p>After the ring-gift, the breast well beworthy'd.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Thus boldly he bore him, the Ecgtheow's bairn,</p> +<p>The groom kenned in battle, in good deeds a-doing;</p> +<p>After due doom he did, and ne'er slew he the drunken</p> +<span class = "linenum">2180</span> +<p>Hearth-fellows of him: naught rough was his heart;</p> +<p>But of all men of mankind with the greatest of might</p> +<p>The gift fully and fast set, which had God to him given,</p> +<p>That war-deer did hold. Long was he contemned,</p> +<p>While the bairns of the Geats naught told him for good,</p> +<p>Nor him on the mead-bench worthy of mickle</p> +<p>The lord of the war-hosts would be a-making.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">126</span> +<a name = "page126" id = "page126"> </a> +<p>Weened they strongly that he were but slack then,</p> +<p>An atheling unkeen; then came about change</p> +<p>To the fame-happy man for every foul harm.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">2190</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Bade then the earls' burg in to be bringing,</p> +<p>The king battle-famed, the leaving of Hrethel,</p> +<p>All geared with gold; was not 'mid the Geats then</p> +<p>A treasure-gem better of them of the sword-kind,</p> +<p>That which then on Beowulf's harm there he laid;</p> +<p>And gave to him there seven thousand in gift,</p> +<p>A built house and king-stool; to both them together</p> +<p>Was in that folkship land that was kindly,</p> +<p>Father-right, home; to the other one rather</p> +<p>A wide realm, to him who was there the better.</p> +<span class = "linenum">2200</span> +<p>But thereafter it went so in days later worn</p> +<p>Through the din of the battle, sithence Hygelac lay low</p> +<a name = "line2202" id = "line2202"> </a> +<p>And unto Heardred swords of the battle</p> +<p>Under the war-board were for a bane;</p> +<p>When fell on him midst of this victory-folk</p> +<p>The hard battle-wolves, the Scyldings of war,</p> +<a name = "line2206" id = "line2206"> </a> +<p>And by war overwhelmed the nephew of Hereric;</p> +<p>That sithence unto Beowulf turned the broad realm</p> +<p>All into his hand. Well then did he hold it</p> +<p>For a fifty of winters; then was he an old king,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2210</span> +<p>An old fatherland's warder; until one began</p> +<span class = "pagenum">127</span> +<a name = "page127" id = "page127"> </a> +<p>Through the dark of the night-tide, a drake, to hold sway.</p> +<p>In a howe high aloft watched over an hoard,</p> +<p>A stone-burg full steep; thereunder a path sty'd</p> +<p>Unknown unto men, and therewithin wended</p> +<p>Who of men do I know not; for his lust there took he,</p> +<p>From the hoard of the heathen his hand took away</p> +<p>A hall-bowl gem-flecked, nowise back did he give it</p> +<p>Though the herd of the hoard him sleeping beguil'd he</p> +<p>With thief-craft; and this then found out the king,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2220</span> +<p>The best of folk-heroes, that wrath-bollen was he.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXII" id = "chapXXXII"> +XXXII. HOW THE WORM CAME TO THE HOWE, AND HOW HE WAS ROBBED OF A CUP; +AND HOW HE FELL ON THE FOLK.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Not</span> +at all with self-wielding the craft of the worm-hoards</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +He sought of his own will, who sore himself harmed;</p> +<p>But for threat of oppression a thrall, of I wot not</p> +<span class = "pagenum">128</span> +<a name = "page128" id = "page128"> </a> +<p>Which bairn of mankind, from blows wrathful fled,</p> +<p>House-needy forsooth, and hied him therein,</p> +<p>A man by guilt troubled. Then soon it betided</p> +<p>That therein to the guest there stood grisly terror;</p> +<p>However the wretched, of every hope waning</p> + +<p class = "asterisks"> ········</p> + +<p>The ill-shapen wight, whenas the fear gat him,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2230</span> +<p>The treasure-vat saw; of such there was a many</p> +<p>Up in that earth-house of treasures of old,</p> +<p>As them in the yore-days, though what man I know not,</p> +<p>The huge leavings and loom of a kindred of high ones,</p> +<p>Well thinking of thoughts there had hidden away.</p> +<p>Dear treasures. But all them had death borne away</p> +<p>In the times of erewhile; and the one at the last</p> +<p>Of the doughty of that folk that there longest lived,</p> +<p>There waxed he friend-sad, yet ween'd he to tarry,</p> +<p>That he for a little those treasures the longsome</p> +<span class = "linenum">2240</span> +<p>Might brook for himself. But a burg now all ready</p> +<p>Wonn'd on the plain nigh the waves of the water,</p> +<p>New by a ness, by narrow-crafts fasten'd;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">129</span> +<a name = "page129" id = "page129"> </a> +<p>Within there then bare of the treasures of earls</p> +<p>That herd of the rings a deal hard to carry,</p> +<p>Of gold fair beplated, and few words he quoth:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Hold thou, O earth, now, since heroes may hold not,</p> +<p>The owning of earls. What! it erst within thee</p> +<p>Good men did get to them; now war-death hath gotten,</p> +<p>Life-bale the fearful, each man and every</p> +<span class = "linenum">2250</span> +<p>Of my folk; e'en of them who forwent the life:</p> +<p>The hall-joy had they seen. No man to wear sword</p> +<p>I own, none to brighten the beaker beplated,</p> +<p>The dear drink-vat; the doughty have sought to else-whither.</p> +<p>Now shall the hard war-helm bedight with the gold</p> +<p>Be bereft of its plating; its polishers sleep,</p> +<p>They that the battle-mask erewhile should burnish:</p> +<p>Likewise the war-byrny, which abode in the battle</p> +<p>O'er break of the war-boards the bite of the irons,</p> +<p>Crumbles after the warrior; nor may the ring'd byrny</p> +<span class = "linenum">2260</span> +<p>After the war-leader fare wide afield</p> +<p>On behalf of the heroes: nor joy of the harp is,</p> +<p>No game of the glee-wood; no goodly hawk now</p> +<span class = "pagenum">130</span> +<a name = "page130" id = "page130"> </a> +<p>Through the hall swingeth; no more the swift horse</p> +<p>Beateth the burg-stead. Now hath bale-quelling</p> +<p>A many of life-kin forth away sent.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Suchwise sad-moody moaned in sorrow</p> +<p>One after all, unblithely bemoaning</p> +<p>By day and by night, till the welling of death</p> +<p>Touch'd at his heart. The old twilight-scather</p> +<span class = "linenum">2270</span> +<p>Found the hoard's joyance standing all open,</p> +<p>E'en he that, burning, seeketh to burgs,</p> +<p>The evil drake, naked, that flieth a night-tide,</p> +<p>With fire encompass'd; of him the earth-dwellers</p> +<p>Are strongly adrad; wont is he to seek to</p> +<p>The hoard in the earth, where he the gold heathen</p> +<p>Winter-old wardeth; nor a whit him it betters.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +So then the folk-scather for three hundred winters</p> +<p>Held in the earth a one of hoard-houses</p> +<p>All-eked of craft, until him there anger'd</p> +<span class = "linenum">2280</span> +<p>A man in his mood, who bare to his man-lord</p> +<p>A beaker beplated, and bade him peace-warding</p> +<p>Of his lord: then was lightly the hoard searched over,</p> +<p>And the ring-hoard off borne; and the boon it was granted</p> +<p>To that wretched-wrought man. There then the lord saw</p> +<span class = "pagenum">131</span> +<a name = "page131" id = "page131"> </a> +<p>That work of men foregone the first time of times.</p> +<p>Then awaken'd the Worm, and anew the strife was;</p> +<p>Along the stone stank he, the stout-hearted found</p> +<p>The foot-track of the foe; he had stept forth o'er-far</p> +<p>With dark craft, over-nigh to the head of the drake.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">2290</span> +<p class = "inset"> +So may the man unfey full easily outlive</p> +<p>The woe and the wrack-journey, he whom the Wielder's</p> +<p>Own grace is holding. Now sought the hoard-warden</p> +<p>Eager over the ground; for the groom he would find</p> +<p>Who unto him sleeping had wrought out the sore:</p> +<p>Hot and rough-moody oft he turn'd round the howe</p> +<p>All on the outward; but never was any man</p> +<p>On the waste; but however in war he rejoiced,</p> +<p>In battle-work. Whiles he turn'd back to his howe</p> +<p>And sought to his treasure-vat; soon he found this,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2300</span> +<p>That one of the grooms had proven the gold,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">132</span> +<a name = "page132" id = "page132"> </a> +<p>The high treasures; then the hoard-warden abided,</p> +<p>But hardly forsooth, until come was the even,</p> +<p>And all anger-bollen was then the burg-warden,</p> +<p>And full much would the loath one with the fire-flame pay back</p> +<p>For his drink-vat the dear. Then day was departed</p> +<p>E'en at will to the Worm, and within wall no longer</p> +<p>Would he bide, but awayward with burning he fared,</p> +<p>All dight with the fire: it was fearful beginning</p> +<p>To the folk in the land, and all swiftly it fell</p> +<span class = "linenum">2310</span> +<p>On their giver of treasure full grievously ended.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXIII" id = "chapXXXIII"> +XXXIII. THE WORM BURNS BEOWULF’S HOUSE, +AND BEOWULF GETS READY TO GO AGAINST HIM. +BEOWULF’S EARLY DEEDS IN BATTLE WITH THE HETWARE TOLD OF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Began</span> +then the guest to spew forth of gleeds,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The bright dwellings to burn; stood the beam of the burning</p> +<p>For a mischief to menfolk; now nothing that quick was</p> +<span class = "pagenum">133</span> +<a name = "page133" id = "page133"> </a> +<p>The loathly lift-flier would leave there forsooth;</p> +<p>The war of the Worm was wide to be seen there,</p> +<p>The narrowing foe's hatred anigh and afar,</p> +<p>How he, the fight-scather, the folk of the Geats</p> +<p>Hated and harm'd; shot he back to the hoard,</p> +<p>His dark lordly hall, ere yet was the day's while;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2320</span> +<p>The land-dwellers had he in the light <a name = "low" id = "low">low</a> encompass'd</p> +<p>With bale and with brand; in his burg yet he trusted,</p> +<p>His war-might and his wall: but his weening bewray'd him.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then Beowulf was done to wit of the terror</p> +<p>Full swiftly forsooth, that the house of himself,</p> +<p>Best of buildings, was molten in wellings of fire,</p> +<p>The gift-stool of the Geats. To the good one was that</p> +<p>A grief unto heart; of mind-sorrows the greatest.</p> +<p>Weened the wise one, that Him, e'en the Wielder,</p> +<p>The Lord everlasting, against the old rights</p> +<span class = "linenum">2330</span> +<p>He had bitterly anger'd; the breast boil'd within him</p> +<p>With dark thoughts, that to him were naught duly wonted.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now had the fire-drake the own fastness of folk,</p> +<p>The water-land outward, that ward of the earth,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">134</span> +<a name = "page134" id = "page134"> </a> +<p>With gleeds to ground wasted; so therefore the war-king,</p> +<p>The lord of the Weder-folk, learned him vengeance.</p> +<p>Then he bade be work'd for him, that fence of the warriors,</p> +<p>And that all of iron, the lord of the earls,</p> +<p>A war-board all glorious, for wissed he yarely</p> +<p>That the holt-wood hereto might help him no whit,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2340</span> +<p>The linden 'gainst fire-flame. Of fleeting days now</p> +<p>The Atheling exceeding good end should abide,</p> +<p>The end of the world's life, and the Worm with him also,</p> +<p>Though long he had holden the weal of the hoard.</p> +<p>Forsooth scorned then the lord of the rings</p> +<p>That he that wide-flier with war-band should seek,</p> +<p>With a wide host; he fear'd not that war for himself,</p> +<p>Nor for himself the Worm's war accounted one whit,</p> +<p>His might and his valour, for that he erst a many</p> +<p>Strait-daring of battles had bided, and liv'd,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2350</span> +<p>Clashings huge of the battle, sithence he of Hrothgar,</p> +<p>He, the man victory-happy, had cleansed the hall,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">135</span> +<a name = "page135" id = "page135"> </a> +<p>And in war-tide had gripped the kindred of Grendel,</p> +<p>The loathly of kindreds; nor was that the least</p> +<p>Of hand-meetings, wherein erst was Hygelac slain,</p> +<p>Sithence the Geats' king in the onrush of battle,</p> +<a name = "line2356" id = "line2356"> </a> +<p>The lord-friend of the folks, down away in the Frieslands,</p> +<p>The offspring of Hrethel, died, drunken of sword-drinks,</p> +<p>All beaten of bill. Thence Beowulf came forth</p> +<p>By his own craft forsooth, dreed the work of the swimming;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2360</span> +<p>He had on his arm, he all alone, thirty</p> +<p>Of war-gears, when he to the holm went adown.</p> +<a name = "line2362" id = "line2362"> </a> +<p>Then nowise the Hetware needed to joy them</p> +<p>Over the foot-war, wherein forth against him</p> +<p>They bore the war-linden: few went back again</p> +<p>From that wolf of the battle to wend to their homes.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +O'erswam then the waters' round Ecgtheow's son,</p> +<p>Came all wretched and byrd-alone back to his people,</p> +<p>Whereas offer'd him Hygd then the kingdom and hoard,</p> +<p>The rings and the king-stool: trowed naught in the child,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">136</span> +<a name = "page136" id = "page136"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">2370</span> +<p>That he 'gainst folks outland the fatherland-seats</p> +<p>Might can how to hold, now was Hygelac dead:</p> +<p>Yet no sooner therefor might the poor folk prevail</p> +<p>To gain from the Atheling in any of ways</p> +<a name = "line2374" id = "line2374"> </a> +<p>That he unto Heardred would be for a lord,</p> +<p>Or eke that that kingdom henceforward should choose;</p> +<p>Yet him midst of the folk with friend-lore he held,</p> +<p>All kindly with honour till older he waxed</p> +<p>And wielded the Weder-Geats. To him men-waifs thereafter</p> +<a name = "line2379" id = "line2379"> </a> +<p>Sought from over the sea, the sons they of Ohthere,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2380</span> +<a name = "line2380" id = "line2380"> </a> +<p>For they erst had withstood the helm of the Scylfings,</p> +<p>E'en him that was best of the kings of the sea,</p> +<p>Of them that in Swede-realm dealt out the treasure,</p> +<p>The mighty of princes. Unto him 'twas a life-mark;</p> +<p>To him without food there was fated the life-wound,</p> +<p>That Hygelac's son, by the swinging of swords;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">137</span> +<a name = "page137" id = "page137"> </a> +<a name = "line2386" id = "line2386"> </a> +<p>And him back departed Ongentheow's bairn,</p> +<a name = "line2387" id = "line2387"> </a> +<p>To go seek to his house, sithence Heardred lay dead,</p> +<p>And let Beowulf hold the high seat of the king</p> +<p>And wield there the Geats. Yea, good was that king.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXIV" id = "chapXXXIV"> +XXXIV. BEOWULF GOES AGAINST THE WORM. HE TELLS OF HEREBEALD AND HĘTHCYN.</a></h4> + + +<span class = "linenum">2390</span> +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Of</span> +that fall of the folk-king he minded the payment</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +In days that came after: unto Eadgils he was</p> +<p>A friend to him wretched; with folk he upheld him</p> +<a name = "line2393" id = "line2393"> </a> +<p>Over the wide sea, that same son of Ohthere,</p> +<p>With warriors and weapons. Sithence had he wreaking</p> +<p>With cold journeys of care: from the king took he life.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now each one of hates thus had he outlived,</p> +<p>And of perilous slaughters, that Ecgtheow's son,</p> +<p>All works that be doughty, until that one day</p> +<p>When he with the Worm should wend him to deal.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">138</span> +<a name = "page138" id = "page138"> </a> + +<span class = "linenum">2400</span> +<p class = "inset"> +So twelvesome he set forth all swollen with anger,</p> +<p>The lord of the Geats, the drake to go look on.</p> +<p>Aright had he learnt then whence risen the feud was,</p> +<p>The bale-hate against men-folk: to his barm then had come</p> +<p>The treasure-vat famous by the hand of the finder;</p> +<p>He was in that troop of men the thirteenth</p> +<p>Who the first of that battle had set upon foot,</p> +<p>The thrall, the sad-minded; in shame must he thenceforth</p> +<p>Wise the way to the plain; and against his will went he</p> +<p>Thereunto, where the earth-hall the one there he wist,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2410</span> +<p>The howe under earth anigh the holm's welling,</p> +<p>The wave-strife: there was it now full all within</p> +<p>With gems and with wires; the monster, the warden,</p> +<p>The yare war-wolf, he held him therein the hoard golden,</p> +<p>The old under the earth: it was no easy cheaping</p> +<p>To go and to gain for any of grooms.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Sat then on the ness there the strife-hardy king</p> +<p>While farewell he bade to his fellows of hearth,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">139</span> +<a name = "page139" id = "page139"> </a> +<p>The gold-friend of the Geats; sad was gotten his soul,</p> +<p>Wavering, death-minded; weird nigh beyond measure,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2420</span> +<p>Which him old of years gotten now needs must be greeting,</p> +<p>Must seek his soul's hoard and asunder must deal</p> +<p>His life from his body: no long while now was</p> +<p>The life of the Atheling in flesh all bewounden.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now spake out Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn:</p> +<p>Many a one in my youth of war-onsets I outliv'd,</p> +<p>And the whiles of the battle: all that I remember.</p> +<p>Seven winters had I when the wielder of treasures,</p> +<p>The lord-friend of folk, from my father me took,</p> +<a name = "line2429" id = "line2429"> </a> +<p>Held me and had me Hrethel the king,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2430</span> +<p>Gave me treasure and feast, and remember'd the friendship.</p> +<p>For life thence I was not to him a whit loather,</p> +<p>A berne in his burgs than his bairns were, or each one,</p> +<a name = "line2433" id = "line2433"> </a> +<p>Herebeald, or Hęthcyn, or Hygelac mine.</p> +<p>For the eldest there was in unseemly wise</p> +<p>By the mere deed of kinsman a murder-bed strawen,</p> +<p>Whenas him did Hęthcyn from out of his horn-bow,</p> +<p>His lord and his friend, with shaft lay alow:</p> +<span class = "pagenum">140</span> +<a name = "page140" id = "page140"> </a> +<p>His mark he miss'd shooting, and shot down his kinsman,</p> +<p>One brother another with shaft all bebloody'd;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2440</span> +<p>That was fight feeless by fearful crime sinned,</p> +<p>Soul-weary to heart, yet natheless then had</p> +<p>The atheling from life all unwreak'd to be ceasing.</p> +<p>So sad-like it is for a carle that is aged</p> +<p>To be biding the while that his boy shall be riding</p> +<p>Yet young on the gallows; then a lay should he utter,</p> +<p>A sorrowful song whenas hangeth his son</p> +<p>A gain unto ravens, and naught good of avail</p> +<p>May he, old and exceeding old, anywise frame.</p> +<p>Ever will he be minded on every each morning</p> +<span class = "linenum">2450</span> +<p>Of his son's faring otherwhere; nothing he heedeth</p> +<p>Of abiding another withinward his burgs,</p> +<p>An heritage-warder, then whenas the one</p> +<p>By the very death's need hath found out the ill.</p> +<p>Sorrow-careful he seeth within his son's bower</p> +<p>The waste wine-hall, the resting-place now of the winds,</p> +<p>All bereft of the revel; the riders are sleeping,</p> +<p>The heroes in grave, and no voice of the harp is,</p> +<p>No game in the garths such as erewhile was gotten.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">141</span> +<a name = "page141" id = "page141"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXV" id = "chapXXXV"> +XXXV. BEOWULF TELLS OF PAST FEUDS, AND BIDS FAREWELL TO HIS FELLOWS: +HE FALLS ON THE WORM, AND THE BATTLE OF THEM BEGINS.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +to sleeping-stead wendeth he, singeth he sorrow,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +<span class = "linenum">2460</span> +The one for the other; o'er-roomy all seem'd him</p> +<p>The meads and the wick-stead. So the helm of the Weders</p> +<a name = "line2462" id = "line2462"> </a> +<p>For Herebeald's sake the sorrow of heart</p> +<p>All welling yet bore, and in nowise might he</p> +<p>On the banesman of that life the feud be a-booting;</p> +<p>Nor ever the sooner that warrior might hate</p> +<p>With deeds loathly, though he to him nothing was lief.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +He then with the sorrow wherewith that sore beset him</p> +<p>Man's joy-tide gave up, and chose him God's light.</p> +<p>To his offspring he left, e'en as wealthy man doeth,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2470</span> +<p>His land and his folk-burgs when he from life wended.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">142</span> +<a name = "page142" id = "page142"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then sin was and striving of Swedes and of Geats,</p> +<p>Over the wide water war-tide in common,</p> +<a name = "line2473" id = "line2473"> </a> +<p>The hard horde-hate to wit sithence Hrethel perish'd;</p> +<a name = "line2474" id = "line2474"> </a> +<p>And to them ever were the Ongentheow's sons</p> +<p>Doughty and host-whetting, nowise then would friendship</p> +<p>Hold over the waters; but round about Hreosnaburgh</p> +<p>The fierce fray of foeman was oftentimes fram'd.</p> +<p>Kin of friends that mine were, there they awreaked</p> +<p>The feud and the evil deed, e'en as was famed;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2480</span> +<p>Although he, the other, with his own life he bought it,</p> +<a name = "line2481" id = "line2481"> </a> +<p>A cheaping full hard: unto Hęthcyn it was,</p> +<p>To the lord of the Geat-folk, a life-fateful war.</p> +<p>Learned I that the morrow one brother the other</p> +<p>With the bills' edges wreaked the death on the banesman,</p> +<a name = "line2485" id = "line2485"> </a> +<p>Whereas Ongentheow is a-seeking of Eofor:</p> +<a name = "line2486" id = "line2486"> </a> +<p>Glode the war-helm asunder, the aged of Scylfings</p> +<p>Fell, sword-bleak; e'en so remember'd the hand</p> +<p>Feud enough; nor e'en then did the life-stroke withhold.</p> +<p>I to him for the treasure which erewhile he gave me</p> +<span class = "pagenum">143</span> +<a name = "page143" id = "page143"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">2490</span> +<p>Repaid it in warring, as was to me granted,</p> +<p>With my light-gleaming sword. To me gave he land,</p> +<p>The hearth and the home-bliss: unto him was no need</p> +<p>That unto the Gifthas or unto the Spear-Danes</p> +<p>Or into the Swede-realm he needs must go seeking</p> +<p>A worse wolf of war for a worth to be cheaping;</p> +<p>For in the host ever would I be before him</p> +<p>Alone in the fore-front, and so life-long shall I</p> +<p>Be a-framing of strife, whileas tholeth the sword,</p> +<p>Which early and late hath +<a name = "bestead" id = "bestead">bestead</a> me full often,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2500</span> +<a name = "line2500" id = "line2500"> </a> +<p>Sithence was I by doughtiness unto Day-raven</p> +<p>The hand-bane erst waxen, to the champion of Hug-folk;</p> +<a name = "line2502" id = "line2502"> </a> +<p>He nowise the fretwork to the king of the Frisians,</p> +<p>The breast-worship to wit, might bring any more,</p> +<p>But cringed in battle that herd of the banner,</p> +<p>The Atheling in might: the edge naught was his bane,</p> +<p>But for him did the war-grip the heart-wellings of him</p> +<p>Break, the house of the bones. Now shall the bill's edge,</p> +<p>The hand and hard sword, about the hoard battle.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">144</span> +<a name = "page144" id = "page144"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +So word uttered Beowulf, spake out the boast word</p> +<span class = "linenum">2510</span> +<p>For the last while as now: Many wars dared I</p> +<p>In the days of my youth, and now will I yet,</p> +<p>The old warder of folk, seek to the feud,</p> +<p>Full gloriously frame, if the scather of foul-deed</p> +<p>From the hall of the earth me out shall be seeking.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Greeted he then each one of the grooms,</p> +<p>The keen wearers of helms, for the last while of whiles,</p> +<p>His own fellows the dear: No sword would I fare with,</p> +<p>No weapon against the Worm, wist I but how</p> +<p>'Gainst the monster of evil in otherwise might I</p> +<span class = "linenum">2520</span> +<p>Uphold me my boast, as erst did I with Grendel;</p> +<p>But there fire of the war-tide full hot do I ween me,</p> +<p>And the breath, and the venom; I shall bear on me therefore</p> +<p>Both the board and the byrny; nor the burg's warden shall I</p> +<p>Overflee for a foot's-breadth, but unto us twain</p> +<p>It shall be at the wall as to us twain Weird willeth,</p> +<p>The Maker of each man. Of mood am I eager;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">145</span> +<a name = "page145" id = "page145"> </a> +<p>So that 'gainst that war-flier from boast I withhold me.</p> +<p>Abide ye upon burg with your byrnies bewarded,</p> +<p>Ye men in your battle-gear, which may the better</p> +<span class = "linenum">2530</span> +<p>After the slaughter-race save us from wounding</p> +<p>Of the twain of us. Naught is it yours to take over,</p> +<p>Nor the measure of any man save alone me,</p> +<p>That he on the monster should mete out his might,</p> +<p>Or work out the earlship: but I with my main might</p> +<p>Shall gain me the gold, or else gets me the battle,</p> +<p>The perilous life-bale, e'en me your own lord.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Arose then by war-round the warrior renowned</p> +<p>Hard under helm, and the sword-sark he bare</p> +<p>Under the stone-cliffs: in the strength then he trowed</p> +<span class = "linenum">2540</span> +<p>Of one man alone; no dastard's way such is.</p> +<p>Then he saw by the wall (e'en he, who so many,</p> +<p>The good of man-bounties, of battles had out-liv'd,</p> +<p>Of crashes of battle whenas hosts were blended)</p> +<p>A stone-bow a-standing, and from out thence a stream</p> +<p>Breaking forth from the burg; was that burn's outwelling</p> +<p>All hot with the war-fire; and none nigh to the hoard then</p> +<span class = "pagenum">146</span> +<a name = "page146" id = "page146"> </a> +<p>Might ever unburning any while bide,</p> +<p>Live out through the deep for the flame of the drake.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Out then from his breast, for as bollen as was he,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2550</span> +<p>Let the Weder-Geats' chief the words be out faring;</p> +<p>The stout-hearted storm'd and the stave of him enter'd</p> +<p>Battle-bright sounding in under the hoar stone.</p> +<p>Then uproused was hate, and the hoard-warden wotted</p> +<p>The speech of man's word, and no more while there was</p> +<p>Friendship to fetch. Then forth came there first</p> +<p>The breath of the evil beast out from the stone,</p> +<p>The hot sweat of battle, and dinn'd then the earth.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +The warrior beneath the burg swung up his war-round</p> +<p>Against that grisly guest, the lord of the Geats;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2560</span> +<p>Then the heart of the ring-bow'd grew eager therewith</p> +<p>To seek to the strife. His sword ere had he drawn,</p> +<p>That good lord of the battle, the leaving of old,</p> +<p>The undull of edges: there was unto either</p> +<p>Of the bale-minded ones the fear of the other.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">147</span> +<a name = "page147" id = "page147"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +All steadfast of mind stood against his steep shield</p> +<p>The lord of the friends, when the Worm was a-bowing</p> +<p>Together all swiftly, in war-gear he bided;</p> +<p>Then boune was the burning one, bow'd in his going,</p> +<p>To the fate of him faring. The shield was well warding</p> +<span class = "linenum">2570</span> +<p>The life and the lyke of the mighty lord king</p> +<p>For a lesser of whiles than his will would have had it,</p> +<p>If he at that frist on the first of the day</p> +<p>Was to wield him, as weird for him never will'd it,</p> +<p>The high-day of battle. His hand he up <a name = "braided" id = "braided">braided</a>,</p> +<p>The lord of the Geats, and the grisly-fleck'd smote he</p> +<a name = "line2576" id = "line2576"> </a> +<p>With the leaving of Ing, in such wise that the edge fail'd,</p> +<p>The brown blade on the bone, and less mightily bit</p> +<p>Than the king of the nation had need in that stour,</p> +<p>With troubles beset. But then the burg-warden</p> +<span class = "linenum">2580</span> +<p>After the war-swing all wood of his mood</p> +<p>Cast forth the slaughter-flame, sprung thereon widely</p> +<span class = "pagenum">148</span> +<a name = "page148" id = "page148"> </a> +<p>The battle-gleams: nowise of victory he boasted,</p> +<p>The gold-friend of the Geats; his war-bill had falter'd,</p> +<p>All naked in war, in such wise as it should not,</p> +<p>The iron exceeding good. Naught was it easy</p> +<p>For him there, the mighty-great offspring of Ecgtheow,</p> +<p>That he now that earth-plain should give up for ever;</p> +<p>But against his will needs must he dwell in the wick</p> +<p>Of the otherwhere country; as ever must each man</p> +<span class = "linenum">2590</span> +<p>Let go of his loan-days. Not long was it thenceforth</p> +<p>Ere the fell ones of fight fell together again.</p> +<p>The hoard-warden up-hearten'd him, welled his breast</p> +<p>With breathing anew. Then narrow need bore he,</p> +<p>Encompass'd with fire, who erst the folk wielded;</p> +<p>Nowise in a heap his hand-fellows there,</p> +<p>The bairns of the athelings, stood all about him</p> +<p>In valour of battle; but they to holt bow'd them;</p> +<p>Their dear life they warded; but in one of them welled</p> +<p>His soul with all sorrow. So sib-ship may never</p> +<span class = "linenum">2600</span> +<p>Turn aside any whit to the one that well thinketh.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">149</span> +<a name = "page149" id = "page149"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXVI" id = "chapXXXVI"> +XXXVI. WIGLAF SON OF WEOHSTAN GOES TO THE HELP OF BEOWULF: +NĘGLING, BEOWULF’S SWORD, IS BROKEN ON THE WORM.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Wiglaf</span> +so hight he, the son of Weohstan,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Lief linden-warrior, and lord of Scylfings,</p> +<p>The kinsman of Aelfhere: and he saw his man-lord</p> +<p>Under his host-mask tholing the heat;</p> +<p>He had mind of the honour that to him gave he erewhile.</p> +<a name = "line2605" id = "line2605"> </a> +<p>The wick-stead the wealthy of them, the Węgmundings,</p> +<p>And the folk-rights each one which his father had owned.</p> +<p>Then he might not withhold him, his hand gripp'd the round,</p> +<p>Yellow linden; he tugg'd out withal the old sword,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2610</span> +<a name = "line2610" id = "line2610"> </a> +<p>That was known among men for the heirloom of Eanmund,</p> +<p>Ohthere's son, unto whom in the strife did become,</p> +<p>To the exile unfriended, Weohstan for the bane</p> +<p>With the sword-edge, and unto his kinsmen bare off</p> +<span class = "pagenum">150</span> +<a name = "page150" id = "page150"> </a> +<p>The helm the brown-brindled, the byrny beringed,</p> +<p>And the old eoten-sword that erst Onela gave him;</p> +<p>Were they his kinsman's weed of the war,</p> +<p>Host-fight-gear all ready. Of the feud nothing spake he.</p> +<p>Though he of his brother the bairn had o'er-thrown.</p> +<p>But the host-gear befretted he held many seasons,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2620</span> +<p>The bill and the byrny, until his own boy might</p> +<p>Do him the earlship as did his ere-father.</p> +<p>Amidst of the Geats then he gave him the war-weed</p> +<p>Of all kinds unnumber'd, whenas he from life wended</p> +<p>Old on the forth-way. Then was the first time</p> +<p>For that champion the young that he the war-race</p> +<p>With his high lord the famed e'er he should frame:</p> +<p>Naught melted his mood, naught the loom of his kinsman</p> +<p>Weaken'd in war-tide; that found out the Worm</p> +<p>When they two together had gotten to come.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">2630</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Now spake out Wiglaf many words rightwise,</p> +<p>And said to his fellows: all sad was his soul:</p> +<p>I remember that while when we gat us the mead,</p> +<p>And whenas we behight to the high lord of us</p> +<span class = "pagenum">151</span> +<a name = "page151" id = "page151"> </a> +<p>In the beer-hall, e'en he who gave us these rings,</p> +<p>That we for the war-gear one while would pay,</p> +<p>If unto him thislike need e'er should befall,</p> +<p>For these helms and hard swords. So he chose us from host</p> +<p>To this faring of war by his very own will,</p> +<p>Of glories he minded us, and gave me these gems here,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2640</span> +<p>Whereas us of gar-warriors he counted for good,</p> +<p>And bold bearers of helms. Though our lord e'en for us</p> +<p>This work of all might was of mind all alone</p> +<p>Himself to be framing, the herd of the folk,</p> +<p>Whereas most of all men he hath mightiness framed.</p> +<p>Of deeds of all daring, yet now is the day come</p> +<p>Whereon to our man-lord behoveth the main</p> +<p>Of good battle-warriors; so thereunto wend we,</p> +<p>And help we the host-chief, whiles that the heat be,</p> +<p>The gleed-terror grim. Now of me wotteth God</p> +<span class = "linenum">2650</span> +<p>That to me is much liefer that that, my lyke-body,</p> +<p>With my giver of gold the gleed should engrip.</p> +<p>Unmeet it methinketh that we shields should bear</p> +<p>Back unto our own home, unless we may erst</p> +<p>The foe fell adown and the life-days defend</p> +<p>Of the king of the Weders. Well wot I hereof</p> +<span class = "pagenum">152</span> +<a name = "page152" id = "page152"> </a> +<p>That his old deserts naught such were, that he only</p> +<p>Of all doughty of Geats the grief should be bearing.</p> +<p>Sink at strife. Unto us shall one sword be, one helm,</p> +<p>One byrny and shield, to both of us common.</p> + +<span class = "linenum">2660</span> +<p class = "inset"> +Through the slaughter-reek waded he then, bare his war-helm</p> +<p>To the finding his lord, and few words he quoth:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +O Beowulf the dear, now do thee all well,</p> +<p>As thou in thy youthful life quothest of yore,</p> +<p>That naught wouldst thou let, while still thou wert living,</p> +<p>Thy glory fade out. Now shalt thou of deeds famed,</p> +<p>The atheling of single heart, with all thy main deal</p> +<p>For the warding thy life, and to stay thee I will.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then after these words all wroth came the Worm,</p> +<p>The dire guest foesome, that second of whiles</p> +<span class = "linenum">2670</span> +<p>With fire-wellings flecked, his foes to go look on,</p> +<p>The loath men. With flame was lightly then burnt up</p> +<p>The board to the boss, and might not the byrny</p> +<p>To the warrior the young frame any help yet.</p> +<p>But so the young man under shield of his kinsman</p> +<span class = "pagenum">153</span> +<a name = "page153" id = "page153"> </a> +<p>Went onward with valour, whenas his own was</p> +<p>All undone with gleeds; then again the war-king</p> +<p>Remember'd his glories, and smote with mainmight</p> +<p>With his battle-bill, so that it stood in the head</p> +<p>Need-driven by war-hate. Then asunder burst Nęgling,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2680</span> +<p>Waxed weak in the war-tide, e'en Beowulf's sword,</p> +<p>The old and grey-marked; to him was not given</p> +<p>That to him any whit might the edges of irons</p> +<p>Be helpful in battle; over-strong was the hand</p> +<p>Which every of swords, by the hearsay of me,</p> +<p>With its swing over-wrought, when he bare unto strife</p> +<p>A wondrous hard weapon; naught it was to him better.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then was the folk-scather for the third of times yet,</p> +<p>The fierce fire-drake, all mindful of feud;</p> +<p>He rac'd on that strong one, when was room to him given,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2690</span> +<p>Hot and battle-grim; he all the halse of him gripped</p> +<p>With bitter-keen bones; all bebloody'd he waxed</p> +<p>With the gore of his soul. Well'd in waves then the war-sweat.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">154</span> +<a name = "page154" id = "page154"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXVII" id = "chapXXXVII"> +XXXVII. THEY TWO SLAY THE WORM. BEOWULF IS WOUNDED DEADLY: +HE BIDDETH WIGLAF BEAR OUT THE TREASURE.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +heard I that at need of the high king of folk</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The upright earl made well manifest might,</p> +<p>His craft and his keenness as kind was to him;</p> +<p>The head there he heeded not (but the hand burned</p> +<p>Of that man of high mood when he helped his kinsman),</p> +<p>Whereas he now the hate-guest smote yet a deal nether,</p> +<p>That warrior in war-gear, whereby the sword dived,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2700</span> +<p>The plated, of fair hue, and thereby fell the flame</p> +<p>To minish thereafter, and once more the king's self</p> +<p>Wielded his wit, and his slaying-sax drew out,</p> +<p>The bitter and battle-sharp, borne on his byrny;</p> +<p>Asunder the Weder's helm smote the Worm midmost;</p> +<p>They felled the fiend, and force drave the life out,</p> +<p>And they twain together had gotten him ending,</p> +<p>Those athelings sib. E'en such should a man be,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">155</span> +<a name = "page155" id = "page155"> </a> +<p>A thane good at need. Now that to the king was</p> +<p>The last victory-while, by the deeds of himself,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2710</span> +<p>Of his work of the world. Sithence fell the wound,</p> +<p>That the earth-drake to him had wrought but erewhile.</p> +<p>To swell and to sweal; and this soon he found out,</p> +<p>That down in the breast of him bale-evil welled,</p> +<p>The venom withinward; then the Atheling wended,</p> +<p>So that he by the wall, bethinking him wisdom.</p> +<p>Sat on seat there and saw on the works of the giants,</p> +<p>How that the stone-bows fast stood on pillars,</p> +<p>The earth-house everlasting upheld withinward.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then with his hand him the sword-gory,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2720</span> +<p>That great king his thane, the good beyond measure,</p> +<p>His friend-lord with water washed full well,</p> +<p>The sated of battle, and unspanned his war-helm.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Forth then spake Beowulf, and over his wound said,</p> +<p>His wound piteous deadly; wist he full well,</p> +<p>That now of his day-whiles all had he +<a name = "dree" id = "dree">dreed</a>,</p> +<p>Of the joy of the earth; all was shaken asunder</p> +<p>The tale of his days; death without measure nigh:</p> +<span class = "pagenum">156</span> +<a name = "page156" id = "page156"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +Unto my son now should I be giving</p> +<p>My gear of the battle, if to me it were granted</p> +<span class = "linenum">2730</span> +<p>Any ward of the heritage after my days</p> +<p>To my body belonging. This folk have I holden</p> +<p>Fifty winters; forsooth was never a folk-king</p> +<p>Of the sitters around, no one of them soothly,</p> +<p>Who me with the war-friends durst wend him to greet</p> +<p>And bear down with the terror. In home have I abided</p> +<p>The shapings of whiles, and held mine own well.</p> +<p>No wily hates sought I; for myself swore not many</p> +<p>Of oaths in unright. For all this may I,</p> +<p>Sick with the life-wounds, soothly have joy.</p> +<span class = "linenum">2740</span> +<p>Therefore naught need wyte me the Wielder of men</p> +<p>With kin murder-bale, when breaketh asunder</p> +<p>My life from my lyke. And now lightly go thou</p> +<p>To look on the hoard under the hoar stone,</p> +<p>Wiglaf mine lief, now that lieth the Worm</p> +<p>And sleepeth sore wounded, beshorn of his treasure;</p> +<p>And be hasty that I now the wealth of old time,</p> +<p>The gold-having may look on, and yarely behold</p> +<p>The bright cunning gems, that the softlier may I</p> +<p>After the treasure-weal let go away</p> +<span class = "linenum">2750</span> +<p>My life, and the folk-ship that long I have held.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">157</span> +<a name = "page157" id = "page157"> </a> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXVIII" id = "chapXXXVIII"> +XXXVIII. BEOWULF BEHOLDETH THE TREASURE AND PASSETH AWAY.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +heard I that swiftly the son of that Weohstan</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +After this word-say his lord the sore wounded,</p> +<p>Battle-sick, there obeyed, and bare forth his ring-net,</p> +<p>His battle-sark woven, in under the burg-roof;</p> +<p>Saw then victory-glad as by the seat went he,</p> +<p>The kindred-thane moody, sun-jewels a many,</p> +<p>Much glistering gold lying down on the ground,</p> +<p>Many wonders on wall, and the den of the Worm,</p> +<p>The old twilight-flier; there were flagons a-standing,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2760</span> +<p>The vats of men bygone, of brighteners bereft,</p> +<p>And maim'd of adornment; was many an helm</p> +<p>Rusty and old, and of arm-rings a many</p> +<p>Full cunningly twined. All lightly may treasure,</p> +<p>The gold in the ground, every one of mankind</p> +<p>Befool with o'erweening, hide it who will.</p> +<p>Likewise he saw standing a sign there all-golden</p> +<p>High over the hoard, the most of hand-wonders,</p> +<p>With limb-craft belocked, whence light a ray gleamed.</p> +<p>Whereby the den's ground-plain gat he to look on,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">158</span> +<a name = "page158" id = "page158"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">2770</span> +<p>The fair works scan throughly. Not of the Worm there</p> +<p>Was aught to be seen now, but the edge had undone him.</p> +<p>Heard I then that in howe of the hoard was bereaving,</p> +<p>The old work of the giants, but one man alone,</p> +<p>Into his barm laded beakers and dishes</p> +<p>At his very own doom; and the sign eke he took,</p> +<p>The brightest of beacons. But the bill of the old lord</p> +<p>(The edge was of iron) erewhile it scathed</p> +<p>Him who of that treasure hand-bearer was</p> +<p>A long while, and fared a-bearing the flame-dread</p> +<span class = "linenum">2780</span> +<p>Before the hoard hot, and welling of fierceness</p> +<p>In the midnights, until that by murder he died.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +In haste was the messenger, eager of back-fare,</p> +<p>Further'd with fretted gems. Him longing fordid</p> +<p>To wot whether the bold man he quick there shall meet</p> +<p>In that mead-stead, e'en he the king of the Weders,</p> +<p>All sick of his might, whereas he erst Itft him.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +He fetching the treasure then found the king mighty,</p> +<p>His own lord, yet there, and him ever all gory</p> +<p>At end of his life; and he yet once again</p> +<span class = "pagenum">159</span> +<a name = "page159" id = "page159"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">2790</span> +<p>Fell the water to warp o'er him, till the word's point</p> +<p>Brake through the breast-hoard, and Beowulf spake out.</p> +<p>The aged, in grief as he gaz'd on the gold:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now I for these fretworks to the Lord of all thanking,</p> +<p>To the King of all glory, in words am yet saying,</p> +<p>To the Lord ever living, for that which I look on;</p> +<p>Whereas such I might for the people of mine,</p> +<p>Ere ever my death-day, get me to own.</p> +<p>Now that for the treasure-hoard here have I sold</p> +<p>My life and laid down the same, frame still then ever</p> +<span class = "linenum">2800</span> +<p>The folk-need, for here never longer I may be.</p> +<p>So bid ye the war-mighty work me a howe</p> +<p>Bright after the bale-fire at the sea's nose,</p> +<p>Which for a remembrance to the people of me</p> +<p>Aloft shall uplift him at Whale-ness for ever,</p> +<p>That it the sea-goers sithence may hote</p> +<p>Beowulf's Howe, e'en they that the high-ships</p> +<p>Over the flood-mists drive from afar.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Did off from his halse then a ring was all golden,</p> +<p>The king the great-hearted, and gave to his thane,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2810</span> +<p>To the spear-warrior young his war-helm gold-brindled,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">160</span> +<a name = "page160" id = "page160"> </a> +<p>The ring and the byrny, and bade him well brook them:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Thou art the end-leaving of all of our kindred,</p> +<a name = "line2803" id = "line2803"> </a> +<p>The Węgmundings; Weird now hath swept all away</p> +<p>Of my kinsmen, and unto the doom of the Maker</p> +<p>The earls in their might; now after them shall I.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +That was to the aged lord youngest of words</p> +<p>Of his breast-thoughts, ere ever he chose him the bale,</p> +<p>The hot battle-wellings; from his heart now departed</p> +<p>His soul, to seek out the doom of the soothfast.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXXXIX" id = "chapXXXIX"> +XXXIX. WIGLAF CASTETH SHAME ON THOSE FLEERS.</a></h4> + + +<span class = "linenum">2820</span> +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">But</span> +gone was it then with the unaged man</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Full hard that there he beheld on the earth</p> +<p>The liefest of friends at the ending of life,</p> +<p>Of bearing most piteous. And likewise lay his bane</p> +<p>The Earth-drake, the loathly fear, reft of his life,</p> +<p>By bale laid undone: the ring-hoards no longer</p> +<p>The Worm, the crook-bowed, ever might wield;</p> +<p>For soothly the edges of the irons him bare off,</p> +<p>The hard battle-sharded leavings of hammers,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">161</span> +<a name = "page161" id = "page161"> </a> +<p>So that the wide-flier stilled with wounding</p> +<span class = "linenum">2830</span> +<p>Fell onto earth anigh to his hoard-hall,</p> +<p>Nor along the lift ever more playing he turned</p> +<p>At middle-nights, proud of the owning of treasure,</p> +<p>Show'd the face of him forth, but to earth there he fell</p> +<p>Because of the host-leader's work of the hand.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +This forsooth on the land hath thriven to few,</p> +<p>Of men might and main bearing, by hearsay of mine,</p> +<p>Though in each of all deeds full daring he were,</p> +<p>That against venom-scather's fell breathing he set on,</p> +<p>Or the hall of his rings with hand be a-stirring,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2840</span> +<p>If so be that he waking the warder had found</p> +<p>Abiding in burg. By Beowulf was</p> +<p>His deal of the king-treasure paid for by death;</p> +<p>There either had they fared on to the end</p> +<p>Of this loaned life. Long it was not until</p> +<p>Those laggards of battle the holt were a-leaving,</p> +<p>Unwarlike troth-liars, the ten there together,</p> +<p>Who durst not e'en now with darts to be playing</p> +<p>E'en in their man-lord's most mickle need.</p> +<p>But shamefully now their shields were they bearing,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2850</span> +<p>Their weed of the battle, there where lay the aged;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">162</span> +<a name = "page162" id = "page162"> </a> +<p>They gazed on Wiglaf where weary'd he sat,</p> +<p>The foot-champion, hard by his very lord's shoulder,</p> +<p>And wak'd him with water: but no whit it sped him;</p> +<p>Never might he on earth howsoe'er well he will'd it</p> +<p>In that leader of spears hold the life any more,</p> +<p>Nor the will of the Wielder change ever a whit;</p> +<p>But still should God's doom of deeds rule the rede</p> +<p>For each man of men, as yet ever it doth.</p> +<p>Then from out of the youngling an answer full grim</p> +<span class = "linenum">2860</span> +<p>Easy got was for him who had lost heart erewhile,</p> +<p>And word gave out Wiglaf, Weohstan's son</p> +<p>The sorrowful-soul'd man: on those unlief he saw:</p> +<p>Lo that may he say who sooth would be saying,</p> +<p>That the man-lord who dealt you the gift of those dear things,</p> +<p>The gear of the war-host wherein there ye stand,</p> +<p>Whereas he on the ale-bench full oft was a-giving</p> +<p>Unto the hall-sitters war-helm and byrny,</p> +<p>The king to his thanes, e'en such as he choicest</p> +<p>Anywhere, far or near, ever might find:</p> +<span class = "linenum">2870</span> +<p>That he utterly wrongsome those weeds of the war</p> +<span class = "pagenum">163</span> +<a name = "page163" id = "page163"> </a> +<p>Had cast away, then when the war overtook him.</p> +<p>Surely never the folk-king of his fellows in battle</p> +<p>Had need to be boastful; howsoever God gave him,</p> +<p>The Victory-wielder, that he himself wreaked him</p> +<p>Alone with the edge, when to him need of might was.</p> +<p>Unto him of life-warding but little might I</p> +<p>Give there in the war-tide; and yet I began</p> +<p>Above measure of my might my kinsman to help;</p> +<p>Ever worse was the Worm then when I with sword</p> +<span class = "linenum">2880</span> +<p>Smote the life-foe, and ever the fire less strongly</p> +<p>Welled out from his wit. Of warders o'er little</p> +<p>Throng'd about the king when him the battle befell.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now shall taking of treasures and giving of swords</p> +<p>And all joy of your country-home fail from your kindred,</p> +<p>All hope wane away; of the land-right moreover</p> +<p>May each of the men of that kinsman's +<a name = "burg" id = "burg">burg</a> ever</p> +<p>Roam lacking; sithence that the athelings eft-soons</p> +<p>From afar shall have heard of your faring in flight,</p> +<p>Your gloryless deed. Yea, death shall be better</p> +<span class = "linenum">2890</span> +<p>For each of the earls than a life ever ill-fam'd.</p> + + + + +<span class = "pagenum">164</span> +<a name = "page164" id = "page164"> </a> + +<h4><a name = "chapXL" id = "chapXL"> +XL. WIGLAF SENDETH TIDING TO THE HOST: THE WORDS OF THE MESSENGER.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +he bade them that war-work give out at the barriers</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +Up over the sea-cliff, whereas then the earl-host</p> +<p>The morning-long day sat sad of their mood,</p> +<p>The bearers of war-boards, in weening of both things,</p> +<p>Either the end-day, or else the back-coming</p> +<p>Of the lief man. Forsooth he little was silent</p> +<p>Of the new-fallen tidings who over the ness rode,</p> +<p>But soothly he said over all there a-sitting:</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now is the will-giver of the folk of the Weders,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2900</span> +<p>The lord of the Geats, fast laid in the death-bed,</p> +<p>In the slaughter-rest wonneth he by the Worm's doings.</p> +<p>And beside him yet lieth his very life-winner</p> +<p>All sick with the sax-wounds; with sword might he never</p> +<p>On the monster, the fell one, in any of manners</p> +<p>Work wounding at all. There yet sitteth Wiglaf,</p> +<p>Weohstan's own boy, over Beowulf king,</p> +<p>One earl over the other, over him the unliving;</p> +<p>With heart-honours holdeth he head-ward withal</p> +<span class = "pagenum">165</span> +<a name = "page165" id = "page165"> </a> +<p>Over lief, over loath. But to folk is a weening</p> +<span class = "linenum">2910</span> +<p>Of war-tide as now, so soon as unhidden</p> +<a name = "line2911" id = "line2911"> </a> +<p>To Franks and to Frisians the fall of the king</p> +<p>Is become over widely. Once was the strife shapen</p> +<p>Hard 'gainst the Hugs, sithence Hygelac came</p> +<a name = "line2914" id = "line2914"> </a> +<p>Faring with float-host to Frisian land,</p> +<a name = "line2915" id = "line2915"> </a> +<p>Whereas him the Hetware vanquish'd in war,</p> +<p>With might gat the gain, with o'er-mickle main;</p> +<p>The warrior bebyrny'd he needs must bow down:</p> +<p>He fell in the host, and no fretted war-gear</p> +<p>Gave that lord to the doughty, but to us was aye sithence</p> +<span class = "linenum">2920</span> +<a name = "line2920" id = "line2920"> </a> +<p>The mercy ungranted that was of the Merwing.</p> +<p>Nor do I from the Swede folk of peace or good faith</p> +<p>Ween ever a whit. For widely 'twas wotted</p> +<a name = "line2923" id = "line2923"> </a> +<p>That Ongentheow erst had undone the life</p> +<a name = "line2924" id = "line2924"> </a> +<p>Of Hęthcyn the Hrethel's son hard by the Raven-wood,</p> +<p>Then when in their pride the Scylfings of war</p> +<p>Erst gat them to seek to the folk of the Geats.</p> +<a name = "line2927" id = "line2927"> </a> +<p>Unto him soon the old one, the father of Ohthere,</p> +<p>The ancient and fearful gave back the hand-stroke,</p> +<p>Brake up the sea-wise one, rescued his bride.</p> +<span class = "linenum">2930</span> +<p>The aged his spouse erst, bereft of the gold,</p> +<p>Mother of Onela, yea and of Ohthere;</p> +<p>And follow'd up thereon his foemen the deadly,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">166</span> +<a name = "page166" id = "page166"> </a> +<p>Until they betook them and sorrowfully therewith</p> +<p>Unto the Raven-holt, reft of their lord.</p> +<p>With huge host then beset he the leaving of swords</p> +<p>All weary with wounds, and woe he behight them,</p> +<p>That lot of the wretched, the livelong night through;</p> +<p>Quoth he that the morrow's morn with the swords' edges</p> +<p>He would do them to death, hang some on the gallows</p> +<span class = "linenum">2940</span> +<p>For a game unto fowl. But again befell comfort</p> +<p>To the sorry of mood with the morrow-day early;</p> +<p>Whereas they of Hygelac's war-horn and trumpet</p> +<p>The voice wotted, whenas the good king his ways came</p> +<p>Faring on in the track of his folk's doughty men.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXLI" id = "chapXLI"> +XLI. MORE WORDS OF THE MESSENGER. +HOW HE FEARS THE SWEDES WHEN THEY WOT OF BEOWULF DEAD.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Was</span> +the track of the war-sweat of Swedes and of Geats,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +The men's slaughter-race, right wide to be seen,</p> +<p>How those folks amongst them were waking the feud.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">167</span> +<a name = "page167" id = "page167"> </a> +<p>Departed that good one, and went with his fellows,</p> +<p>Old and exceeding sad, fastness to seek;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2950</span> +<p>The earl Ongentheow upward returned;</p> +<p>Of Hygelac's battle-might oft had he heard,</p> +<p>The war-craft of the proud one; in withstanding he trow'd not,</p> +<p>That he to the sea-folk in fight might debate,</p> +<p>Or against the sea-farers defend him his hoard,</p> +<p>His bairns and his bride. He bow'd him aback thence,</p> +<p>The old under the earth-wall. Then was the chase bidden</p> +<p>To the Swede-folk, and Hygelac's sign was upreared,</p> +<p>And the plain of the peace forth on o'er-pass'd they,</p> +<a name = "line2959" id = "line2959"> </a> +<p>After the Hrethlings onto the hedge throng'd.</p> +<span class = "linenum">2960</span> +<a name = "line2960" id = "line2960"> </a> +<p>There then was Ongentheow by the swords' edges,</p> +<p>The blent-hair'd, the hoary one, driven to biding,</p> +<p>So that the folk-king fain must he take</p> +<a name = "line2963" id = "line2963"> </a> +<p>Sole doom of Eofor. Him in his wrath then</p> +<a name = "line2964" id = "line2964"> </a> +<p>Wulf the Wonreding reach'd with his weapon,</p> +<p>So that from the stroke sprang the war-sweat in streams</p> +<p>Forth from under his hair; yet naught fearsome was he,</p> +<a name = "line2967" id = "line2967"> </a> +<p>The aged, the Scylfing, but paid aback rathely</p> +<span class = "pagenum">168</span> +<a name = "page168" id = "page168"> </a> +<p>With chaffer that worse was that war-crash of slaughter,</p> +<p>Sithence the folk-king turned him thither;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2970</span> +<p>And nowise might the brisk one that son was of Wonred</p> +<p>Unto the old carle give back the hand-slaying,</p> +<p>For that he on Wulf's head the helm erst had sheared,</p> +<p>So that all with the blood stained needs must he bow,</p> +<p>And fell on the field; but not yet was he fey,</p> +<p>But he warp'd himself up, though the wound had touch'd nigh.</p> +<p>But thereon the hard Hygelac's thane there,</p> +<p>Whenas down lay his brother, let the broad blade,</p> +<p>The old sword of eotens, that helm giant-fashion'd</p> +<p>Break over the board-wall, and down the king bowed,</p> +<span class = "linenum">2980</span> +<p>The herd of the folk unto fair life was smitten.</p> +<p>There were many about there who bound up his kinsman,</p> +<p>Upraised him swiftly when room there was made them,</p> +<p>That the slaughter-stead there at the stour they might wield,</p> +<p>That while when was reaving one warrior the other:</p> +<span class = "pagenum">169</span> +<a name = "page169" id = "page169"> </a> +<p>From Ongentheow took he the iron-wrought byrny,</p> +<p>The hard-hilted sword, with his helm all together:</p> +<p>The hoary one's harness to Hygelac bare he;</p> +<p>The fret war-gear then took he, and fairly behight him</p> +<p>Before the folk due gifts, and even so did it;</p> +<span class = "linenum">2990</span> +<p>Gild he gave for that war-race, the lord of the Geats,</p> +<p>The own son of Hrethel, when home was he come,</p> +<p>To Eofor and Wulf gave he over-much treasure,</p> +<p>To them either he gave an hundred of thousands,</p> +<p>Land and lock'd rings. Of the gift none needed to wyte him</p> +<p>Of mid earth, since the glory they gained by battle.</p> +<a name = "line2996" id = "line2996"> </a> +<p>Then to Eofor he gave his one only daughter,</p> +<p>An home-worship soothly, for pledge of his good will.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +That is the feud and the foeship full soothly,</p> +<p>The dead-hate of men, e'en as I have a weening,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3000</span> +<p>Wherefor the Swede people against us shall seek,</p> +<p>Sithence they have learned that lieth our lord</p> +<p>All lifeless; e'en he that erewhile hath held</p> +<p>Against all the haters the hoard and the realm;</p> +<span class = "pagenum">170</span> +<a name = "page170" id = "page170"> </a> +<a name = "line3004" id = "line3004"> </a> +<p>Who after the heroes' fall held the fierce Scylfings,</p> +<p>Framed the folk-rede, and further thereto</p> +<p>Did earlship-deeds. Now is haste best of all</p> +<p>That we now the folk-king should fare to be seeing,</p> +<p>And then that we bring him who gave us the rings</p> +<p>On his way to the bale: nor shall somewhat alone</p> +<span class = "linenum">3010</span> +<p>With the moody be molten; but manifold hoard is,</p> +<p>Gold untold of by tale that grimly is cheapened,</p> +<p>And now at the last by this one's own life</p> +<p>Are rings bought, and all these the brand now shall fret,</p> +<p>The flame thatch them over: no earl shall bear off</p> +<p>One gem in remembrance; nor any fair maiden</p> +<p>Shall have on her halse a ring-honour thereof,</p> +<p>But in grief of mood henceforth, bereaved of gold,</p> +<p>Shall oft, and not once alone, alien earth tread,</p> +<p>Now that the host-learn'd hath laid aside laughter,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3020</span> +<p>The game and the glee-joy. Therefore shall the spear,</p> +<p>Full many a morn-cold, of hands be bewounden,</p> +<p>Uphoven in hand; and no swough of the harp</p> +<p>Shall waken the warriors; but the wan raven rather</p> +<span class = "pagenum">171</span> +<a name = "page171" id = "page171"> </a> +<p>Fain over the fey many tales shall tell forth,</p> +<p>And say to the erne how it sped him at eating,</p> +<p>While he with the wolf was a-spoiling the slain.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +So was the keen-whetted a-saying this while</p> +<p>Spells of speech loathly; he lied not much</p> +<p>Of weirds or of words. Then uprose all the war-band,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3030</span> +<p>And unblithe they wended under the Ernes-ness,</p> +<p>All welling of tears, the wonder to look on.</p> +<p>Found they then on the sand, now lacking of soul,</p> +<p>Holding his bed, him that gave them the rings</p> +<p>In time erewhile gone by. But then was the end-day</p> +<p>Gone for the good one; since the king of the battle,</p> +<p>The lord of the Weders, in wonder-death died.</p> +<p>But erst there they saw a more seldom-seen sight,</p> +<p>The Worm on the lea-land over against him</p> +<p>Down lying there loathly; there was the fire-drake,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3040</span> +<p>The grim of the terrors, with gleeds all beswealed.</p> +<p>He was of fifty feet of his measure</p> +<p>Long of his lying. Lift-joyance held he</p> +<p>In the whiles of the night, but down again wended</p> +<p>To visit his den. Now fast was he in death,</p> +<p>He had of the earth-dens the last end enjoyed.</p> +<p>There by him now stood the beakers and bowls,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">172</span> +<a name = "page172" id = "page172"> </a> +<p>There lay the dishes and dearly-wrought swords,</p> +<p>Rusty, through-eaten they, as in earth's bosom</p> +<p>A thousand of winters there they had wonned.</p> +<span class = "linenum">3050</span> +<p>For that heritage there was, all craftily eked,</p> +<p>Gold of the yore men, in wizardry wounden;</p> +<p>So that that ring-hall might none reach thereto,</p> +<p>Not any of mankind but if God his own self,</p> +<p>Sooth king of victories, gave unto whom he would</p> +<p>(He is holder of men) to open that hoard,</p> +<p>E'en to whichso of mankind should seem to him meet.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXLII" id = "chapXLII"> +XLII. THEY GO TO LOOK ON THE FIELD OF DEED.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">Then</span> +it was to be seen that throve not the way</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +To him that unrightly had hidden within there</p> +<p>The fair gear 'neath the wall. The warder erst slew</p> +<span class = "linenum">3060</span> +<p>Some few of folk, and the feud then became</p> +<p>Wrothfully wreaked. A wonder whenas</p> +<p>A valour-strong earl may reach on the ending</p> +<p>Of the fashion of life, when he longer in nowise</p> +<p>One man with his kinsmen may dwell in the mead-hall!</p> +<span class = "pagenum">173</span> +<a name = "page173" id = "page173"> </a> +<p>So to Beowulf was it when the burg's ward he sought.</p> +<p>For the hate of the weapons: he himself knew not</p> +<p>Wherethrough forsooth his world's sundering should be.</p> +<p>So until Doomsday they cursed it deeply,</p> +<p>Those princes the dread, who erst there had done it,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3070</span> +<p>That that man should be of sins never sackless,</p> +<p>A-hoppled in shrines, in hell-bonds fast set,</p> +<p>With plague-spots be punish'd, who that plain should plunder.</p> +<p>But naught gold-greedy was he, more gladly had he</p> +<p>The grace of the Owner erst gotten to see.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now spake out Wiglaf, that son was of Weohstan:</p> +<p>Oft shall many an earl for the will but of one</p> +<p>Dree the wrack, as to us even now is befallen:</p> +<p>Nowise might we learn the lief lord of us,</p> +<p>The herd of the realm, any of rede,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3080</span> +<p>That he should not go greet that warder of gold,</p> +<p>But let him live yet, whereas long he was lying,</p> +<p>And wonne in his wicks until the world's ending;</p> +<p>But he held to high weird and the hoard hath been seen,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">174</span> +<a name = "page174" id = "page174"> </a> +<p>Grimly gotten: o'er hard forsooth was that giving,</p> +<p>That the king of the folk e'en thither enticed.</p> +<p>Lo! I was therein, and I look'd it all over,</p> +<p>The gear of the house, when for me room was gotten,</p> +<p>But I lightly in nowise had leave for the passage</p> +<p>In under the earth-wall; in haste I gat hold</p> +<span class = "linenum">3090</span> +<p>Forsooth with my hands of a mickle main burden</p> +<p>Of hoard-treasures, and hither then out did I bear them,</p> +<p>Out unto my king, and then quick was he yet,</p> +<p>Wise, and wit-holding: a many things spake he,</p> +<p>That aged in grief-care, and bade me to greet you,</p> +<p>And prayed ye would do e'en after your friend's deeds</p> +<p>Aloft in the bale-stead a howe builded high,</p> +<p>Most mickle and mighty, as he amongst men was</p> +<p>The worthfullest warrior wide over the world,</p> +<p>While he the burg-weal erewhile might brook.</p> +<span class = "linenum">3100</span> +<p>Then so let us hasten this second of whiles</p> +<p>To see and to seek the throng of things strange,</p> +<p>The wonder 'neath wall; I shall wise you the way,</p> +<p>So that ye from a-near may look on enough</p> +<p>Of rings and broad gold; and be the bier swiftly</p> +<p>All yare thereunto, whenas out we shall fare.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">175</span> +<a name = "page175" id = "page175"> </a> +<p>Then let us so ferry the lord that was ours,</p> +<p>The lief man of men, to where long shall he</p> +<p>In the All-Wielder's keeping full patiently wait.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Bade then to bid the bairn of that Weohstan,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3110</span> +<p>The deer of the battle, to a many of warriors,</p> +<p>The house-owning wights, that the wood of the bale</p> +<p>They should ferry from far, e'en the folk-owning men,</p> +<p>Toward the good one. And now shall the gleed fret away,</p> +<p>The wan flame a-waxing, the strong one of warriors,</p> +<p>Him who oft-times abided the shower of iron</p> +<p>When the storm of the shafts driven on by the strings</p> +<p>Shook over the shield-wall, and the shaft held its service,</p> +<p>And eager with feather-gear follow'd the barb.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Now then the wise one, that son was of Weohstan,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3120</span> +<p>Forth from the throng then call'd of the king's thanes</p> +<p>A seven together, the best to be gotten,</p> +<p>And himself went the eighth in under the foe-roof;</p> +<p>One man of the battlers in hand there he bare</p> +<span class = "pagenum">176</span> +<a name = "page176" id = "page176"> </a> +<p>A gleam of the fire, of the first went he inward.</p> +<p>It was nowise allotted who that hoard should despoil,</p> +<p>Sithence without warden some deal that there was</p> +<p>The men now beheld in the hall there a-wonning,</p> +<p>Lying there fleeting; little mourn'd any,</p> +<p>That they in all haste outward should ferry</p> +<span class = "linenum">3130</span> +<p>The dear treasures. But forthwith the drake did they shove,</p> +<p>The Worm, o'er the cliff-wall, and let the wave take him,</p> +<p>The flood fathom about the fretted works' herd.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +There then was wounden gold on the wain laden</p> +<p>Untold of each kind, and the Atheling borne,</p> +<p>The hoary of warriors, out on to Whale-ness.</p> + + + + +<h4><a name = "chapXLIII" id = "chapXLIII"> +XLIII. OF THE BURIAL OF BEOWULF.</a></h4> + + +<p class = "firstline"> +<span class = "firstword">For</span> +him then they geared, the folk of the Geats,</p> +<p class = "secondline"> +A pile on the earth all unweaklike that was,</p> +<p>With war-helms behung, and with boards of the battle,</p> +<p>And bright byrnies, e'en after the boon that he bade.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">177</span> +<a name = "page177" id = "page177"> </a> +<span class = "linenum">3140</span> +<p>Laid down then amidmost their king mighty-famous</p> +<p>The warriors lamenting, the lief lord of them.</p> +<p>Began on the burg of bale-fires the biggest</p> +<p>The warriors to waken: the wood-reek went up</p> +<p>Swart over the smoky glow, sound of the flame</p> +<p>Bewound with the weeping (the wind-blending stilled),</p> +<p>Until it at last the bone-house had broken</p> +<p>Hot at the heart. All unglad of mind</p> +<p>With mood-care they mourned their own liege lord's quelling.</p> +<a name = "line3149" id = "line3149"> </a> +<p>Likewise a sad lay the wife of aforetime</p> +<span class = "linenum">3150</span> +<p>For Beowulf the king, with her hair all upbounden,</p> +<p>Sang sorrow-careful; said oft and over</p> +<p>That harm-days for herself in hard wise she dreaded,</p> +<p>The slaughter-falls many, much fear of the warrior,</p> +<p>The shaming and bondage. Heaven swallow'd the reek.</p> +<p>Wrought there and fashion'd the folk of the Weders</p> +<p>A howe on the lithe, that high was and broad.</p> +<p>Unto the wave-farers wide to be seen:</p> +<p>Then it they betimber'd in time of ten days,</p> +<span class = "pagenum">178</span> +<a name = "page178" id = "page178"> </a> +<p>The battle-strong's beacon; the brands' very-leavings</p> +<span class = "linenum">3160</span> +<p>They bewrought with a wall in the worthiest of ways,</p> +<p>That men of all wisdom might find how to work.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Into burg then they did the rings and bright sun-gems,</p> +<p>And all such adornments as in the hoard there</p> +<p>The war-minded men had taken e'en now;</p> +<p>The earls' treasures let they the earth to be holding,</p> +<p>Gold in the grit, wherein yet it liveth,</p> +<p>As useless to men-folk as ever it erst was.</p> + +<p class = "inset"> +Then round the howe rode the deer of the battle,</p> +<p>The bairns of the athelings, twelve were they in all.</p> +<span class = "linenum">3170</span> +<p>Their care would they mourn, and bemoan them their king,</p> +<p>The word-lay would they utter and over the man speak:</p> +<p>They accounted his earlship and mighty deeds done,</p> +<p>And doughtily deem'd them; as due as it is</p> +<p>That each one his friend-lord with words should belaud,</p> +<p>And love in his heart, whenas forth shall he</p> +<p>Away from the body be fleeting at last.</p> +<span class = "pagenum">179</span> +<a name = "page179" id = "page179"> </a> + +<p class = "inset"> +In such wise they grieved, the folk of the Geats,</p> +<p>For the fall of their lord, e'en they his hearth-fellows;</p> +<p>Quoth they that he was a world-king forsooth,</p> +<span class = "linenum">3180</span> +<p>The mildest of all men, unto men kindest,</p> +<p>To his folk the most gentlest, most yearning of fame.</p> + +</div> + +<a name = "page180" id = "page180"> </a> + + +<span class = "pagenum">181</span> +<a name = "page181" id = "page181"> </a> + +<h3 class = "chapter"><a name = "names" id = "names"> +PERSONS AND PLACES</a></h3> + + +<h5>(<i>Numbers refer to Pages</i>)</h5> + +<p class = "mynote"> +In this and the following section, links lead directly to the name or +word cited. Series of pages were printed in the form "167-9"; they have +been expanded here to "167-<span class = "fillin">16</span>9". The names +"Dayraven" and "Ravenwood" are hyphenated in the body text.</p> + +<div class = "names"> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Beanstan</span>, father of Breca (<a href = +"#line524">31</a>).</p> + +<p>Beowulf the Dane (not Beowulf the Geat, the hero of the poem) was the +grandfather of Hrothgar (<a href = "#line18">2</a>, <a href = +"#chapII">4</a>).</p> + +<p>Beowulf the Geat. <i>See</i> the <a href = +"#argument">Argument</a>.</p> + +<p>Breca (<a href = "#line506">30</a>), who contended with Beowulf in +swimming, was a chief of the Brondings (<a href = +"#line521">31</a>).</p> + +<p><a name = "names_brisings" id = "names_brisings">Brisings' +neck-gear</a> (<a href = "#line1199">70</a>). "This necklace is the +Brisinga-men, the costly necklace of Freyja, which she won from the +dwarfs and which was stolen from her by Loki, as is told in the Edda" +(Kemble). In our poem, it is said that Hama carried off this necklace +when he fled from Eormenric, king of the Ostrogoths.</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps"><ins class = "correction" +title = "hyphenated in body text">Dayraven</ins></span> +(<a href = "#line2500">143</a>), a brave warrior of the Hugs, and +probably the slayer of Hygelac, whom, in that case, Beowulf avenged.</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<a name = "names_eadgils" id = "names_eadgils"><span class = +"smallcaps">Eadgils</span></a>, Eanmund (<a href = "#line2379">136</a>, +<a href = "#chapXXXIV">137</a>), "sons of Ohthere," and nephews of the +Swedish King Onela, by whom they were banished from their native land +for rebellion. They took refuge at the court of the Geat King Heardred, +and Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn," enraged at their finding an asylum with +his hereditary foes, invaded Geatland, and slew Heardred. At a later +time Beowulf, when king of the +<span class = "pagenum">182</span> +<a name = "page182" id = "page182"> </a> +Geats, balanced the feud by supporting Eadgils in an invasion of Sweden, +in which King Onela was slain.</p> + +<p>Eanmund (<a href = "#line2610">149</a>), while in exile at the court +of the Geats, was slain by Weohstan, father of Wiglaf, and stripped of +the armour given him by his uncle, the Swedish King Onela. Weohstan +"spake not about the feud, although he had slain Onela's brother's son," +probably because he was not proud of having slain an "exile unfriended" +in a private quarrel.</p> + +<p>Ecglaf, father of Unferth, Hrothgar's spokesman (<a href = +"#chapIX">29</a>).</p> + +<p><a name = "names_ecgtheow" id = "names_ecgtheow">Ecgtheow</a> (<a +href = "#line373">22</a>), father of Beowulf the Geat, by the only +daughter of Hrethel, king of the Geats. Having slain Heatholaf, +a warrior of the Wylfings, Ecgtheow sought protection at the court +of the Danish King Hrothgar, who accepted his fealty and settled the +feud by a money-payment (<a href = "#line463">27</a>). Hence the +heartiness of Beowulf's welcome at Hrothgar's hands.</p> + +<p>Ecgwela. The Scyldings or Danes are once called "Ecgwela's offspring" +(<a href = "#line1710">99</a>). He may have been the founder of the +older dynasty of Danish kings which ended with Heremod.</p> + +<p><a name = "names_eofor" id = "names_eofor">Eofor</a> (<a href = +"#line2485">142</a>, +<a href = "#line2963">167</a>-<a href = "#line2996"><span class = +"fillin">16</span>9</a>), a Geat warrior, brother of Wulf. He came to +the aid of his brother in his single combat with the Swedish King +Ongentheow, and slew the king, being rewarded by Hygelac with the hand +of his only daughter.</p> + +<p>Eotens (<a href = "#line1072">61</a>, <a href = "#line1088">62</a>, +<a href = "#line1141">66</a>) are the people of Finn, king of Friesland. +In other passages, it is merely a name for a race of monsters.</p> + + +<p class = "space"> +<a name = "names_finn" id = "names_finn"><span class = +"smallcaps">Finn</span></a> (<a href = "#line1068">61</a>-<a href = +"#line1156"><span class = "fillin">6</span>7</a>). The somewhat obscure +Finn episode in <i>Beowulf</i> appears to be part of a Finn epic, of +which only the merest fragment, called the <i>Fight at Finnsburg</i>, is +extant. The following conjectured outline of the whole +<span class = "pagenum">183</span> +<a name = "page183" id = "page183"> </a> +story is based on this fragment and on the Beowulf episode; Finn, king +of the Frisians, had carried off Hildeburh, daughter of Hoc, probably +with her consent. Her father, Hoc, seems to have pursued the fugitives, +and to have been slain in the fight which ensued on his overtaking them. +After the lapse of some twenty years Hoc's sons, Hnęf and Hengest, are +old enough to undertake the duty of avenging their father's death. They +make an inroad into Finn's country, and a battle takes place in which +many warriors, among them Hnęf and a son of Finn, are killed. Peace is +then solemnly concluded, and the slain warriors are burnt. As the year +is too far advanced for Hengest to return home, he and those of his men +who survive remain for the winter in the Frisian country with Finn. But +Hengest's thoughts dwell constantly on the death of his brother Hnęf, +and he would gladly welcome any excuse to break the peace which had been +sworn by both parties. His ill-concealed desire for revenge is noticed +by the Frisians, who anticipate it by themselves attacking Hengest and +his men whilst they are sleeping in the hall. This is the night attack +described in the <i>Fight at Finnsburg</i>. It would seem that after a +brave and desperate resistance Hengest himself falls in this fight at +the hands of the son of Hunlaf (<a href = "#line1143">66</a>), but two +of his retainers, Guthlaf and Oslaf, succeed in cutting their way +through their enemies and in escaping to their own land. They return +with fresh troops, attack and slay Finn, and carry his queen Hildeburh +back to the Daneland.</p> + +<p>Folkwalda (<a href = "#line1089">62</a>), father of Finn.</p> + +<p>Franks (<a href = "#line1210">70</a>, <a href = "#line2911">165</a>). +Hygelac, king of the Geats, was defeated and slain early in the sixth +century, in his historical invasion of the Netherlands, by a combined +army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">184</span> +<a name = "page184" id = "page184"> </a> + +<p><a name = "names_freawaru" id = "names_freawaru"><ins class = +"correction" title = "text reads 'Ereawaru'">Freawaru</ins></a> +(<a href = "#line2022">116</a>), daughter of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow. +Beowulf tells Hygelac that her father has betrothed her to Ingeld, +prince of the Heathobards, in the hope of settling the feud between the +two peoples. But he prophesies that the hope will prove vain: for an old +Heathobard warrior, seeing a Danish chieftain accompany Freawaru to +their court laden with Heathobard spoils, will incite the son of the +former owner of the plundered treasure to revenge, until blood is shed, +and the feud is renewed. That this was what afterwards befell, we learn +from the Old English poem <i>Widsith</i>. <i>See also</i> ll. <a href = +"#line83">83</a>-<span class = "fillin">8</span>5.</p> + +<p>Friesland (<a href = "#chapXVIII">65</a>), the land of the North +Frisians.</p> + +<p>Frieslands (<a href = "#line2356">135</a>), Frisian land (<a href = +"#line2914">165</a>), the home of the West Frisians.</p> + +<p>Frisians. Two tribes are to be distinguished: 1. The North +Frisians (<a href = "#line1070">61</a>, <a href = "#line1093">63</a>), +the people of Finn. 2. The West Frisians (<a href = +"#line2502">143</a>, <a href = "#line2911">165</a>), who combined with +the Franks and Hugs and defeated Hygelac, between 512 and 520 <span +class = "smallroman">A.D.</span></p> + +<p>Froda (<a href = "#line2025">117</a>), father of Ingeld. <i>See</i> +<a href = "#names_freawaru">Freawaru</a>.</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Guthlaf</span> and Oslaf (<a href = +"#line1148">66</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = "#names_finn">Finn</a>.</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Hęreth</span> (<a href = "#line1929">112</a>, +<a href = "#line1981">114</a>), father of Hygd, wife of Hygelac.</p> + +<p>Hęthcyn (<a href = "#line2433">139</a>, <a href = +"#line2481">142</a>, <a href = "#line2924">165</a>), second son of +Hrethel, king of the Geats, and thus elder brother of Hygelac. He +accidentally killed his elder brother Herebeald with a bow-shot, to the +inconsolable grief of Hrethel. He succeeded to the throne at his +father's death, but fell in battle at Ravenwood (<a href = +"#line2924">165</a>) by the hand of the Swedish King Ongentheow.</p> + +<p>Half-Danes (<a href = "#line1069">61</a>), the tribe to which Hnęf +belongs. <i>See</i> <a href = "#names_finn">Finn</a>.</p> + +<p>Hama (<a href = "#line1198">69</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = +"#names_brisings">Brisings</a>.</p> + +<p>Healfdene (<a href = "#line57">4</a>), king of the Danes, son of +Beowulf the Scylding, and father of Hrothgar, "Healfdene's son" (<a href += "#line268">16</a>).</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">185</span> +<a name = "page185" id = "page185"> </a> + +<p>Heardred (<a href = "#line2202">126</a>, <a href = +"#line2374">136</a>-<a href = "#line2387"><span class = +"fillin">13</span>7</a>), son of Hygelac and Hygd. While still under age +he succeeds his father as king of the Geats, Beowulf, who has refused +the throne himself, being his counsellor and protector. He is slain by +"Ongentheow's bairn" (<a href = "#line2386">137</a>), Onela, king of the +Swedes.</p> + +<p>Heathobards, Lombards, the tribe of Ingeld, the betrothed of +Freawaru, Hrothgar's daughter (<a href = "#chapXXX">117</a>).</p> + +<p>Heatholaf (<a href = "#line460">27</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = +"#names_ecgtheow">Ecgtheow</a>.</p> + +<p>Helmings. "The Dame of the Helmings" (<a href = "#line620">36</a>) is +Hrothgar's queen, Wealhtheow.</p> + +<p>Hemming. "The Kinsman of Hemming" is a name for Offa (<a href = +"#line1944">112</a>) and for his son Eomęr (<a href = +"#line1961">113</a>).</p> + +<p>Hengest (<a href = "#line1083">62</a>-<a href = "#line1127"><span +class = "fillin">6</span>5</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = +"#names_finn">Finn</a>.</p> + +<p>Heorogar (<a href = "#line61">5</a>), elder brother of Hrothgar (<a +href = "#line467">27</a>), did not leave his armour to his son Heoroward +(<a href = "#line2158">124</a>); but Hrothgar gives it to Beowulf, and +Beowulf gives it to Hygelac.</p> + +<p>Herebeald (<a href = "#line2433">139</a>, <a href = +"#line2462">141</a>), eldest son of the Geat King Hrethel, was +accidentally shot dead with an arrow by his brother Hęthcyn.</p> + +<p>Heremod (<a href = "#line915">53</a>, <a href = "#line1709">99</a>) +is twice spoken of as a bad and cruel Danish king. In the end he is +betrayed into the hands of his foes.</p> + +<p>Hereric may have been brother of Hygd, Hygelac's queen, for their son +Heardred is spoken of as "the nephew of Hereric" (<a href = +"#line2206">126</a>).</p> + +<p>Here-Scyldings (<a href = "#line1108">64</a>), Army-Scyldings, a name +of the Danes.</p> + +<p>Hetware (<a href = "#line2362">135</a>, <a href = +"#line2915">165</a>), the Hattuarii of the <i>Historia Francorum</i> of +Gregory of Tours and of the <i>Gesta Regum Francorum</i>, were the tribe +against which Hygelac was raiding when he was defeated and slain by an +army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs.</p> + +<p>Hildeburh (<a href = "#line1071">61</a>, <a href = +"#line1114">64</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = "#names_finn">Finn</a>.</p> + +<p>Hnęf (<a href = "#line1069">61</a>, <a href = "#line1114">64</a>). +<i>See</i> <a href = "#names_finn">Finn</a>.</p> + +<p>Hoc (<a href = "#line1076">62</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = +"#names_finn">Finn</a>.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">186</span> +<a name = "page186" id = "page186"> </a> + +<p>Hrethel, a former king of the Geats; son of Swerting (<a href = +"#line1202">70</a>), father of Hygelac and grandfather of Beowulf (<a +href = "#line374">22</a>), to whom he left his coat of mail (<a href = +"#line454">26</a>). He died of grief at the loss of his eldest son +Herebeald (<a href = "#line2429">139</a>-<a href = "#line2473"><span +class = "fillin">1</span><ins class = "correction" +title = "text reads '41'">42</ins></a>), who was accidentally slain by +his brother Hęthcyn.</p> +</div> + +<p class = "mynote"> +Page 70 text (line <a href = "#line1202">1202</a>) reads "Hygelac ... +grandson of Swerting." Hrethel is not named. +</p> + +<div class = "names"> + +<p>Hrethlings (<a href = "#line2959">167</a>), the people of Hrethel, +the Geats.</p> + +<p>Hrethmen (<a href = "#line445">26</a>), Triumph-men, the Danes.</p> + +<p>Hrethric (<a href = "#line1189">69</a>, <a href = +"#line1836">106</a>), elder son of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow.</p> + +<p>Hrothgar. <i>See</i> the <a href = "#argument">Argument</a>.</p> + +<p>Hrothulf (<a href = "#line1017">59</a>, <a href = +"#line1181">68</a>), probably the son of Hrothgar's younger brother +Halga (<a href = "#line61">5</a>). He lives at the Danish court. +Wealhtheow hopes that, if he survives Hrothgar, he will be good to their +children in return for their kindness to him. It would seem that this +hope was not to be fulfilled ("yet of kindred unsunder'd," <a href = +"#line1164">67</a>).</p> + +<p>Hygd, daughter of Hęreth, wife of Hygelac, the king of the Geats, and +mother of Heardred. She may well be "the wife of aforetime" (<a href = +"#line3149">177</a>).</p> + +<p>Hygelac, third son of Hrethel (<a href = "#line2433">139</a>) and +uncle to Beowulf, is the reigning king of the Geats during the greater +part of the action of the poem. When his brother Hęthcyn was defeated +and slain by Ongentheow at Ravenwood (<a href = "#line2923">165</a>), +Hygelac quickly went in pursuit and put Ongentheow to flight; but +although, as leader of the attack, he is called "the banesman of +Ongentheow" (<a href = "#line1968">114</a>), the actual slayer was Eofor +(<a href = "#line2485">142</a>, <a href = "#line2963">167</a>), whom +Hygelac rewarded with the hand of his only daughter (<a href = +"#line2996">169</a>). Hygelac came by his death between 512 and 520 +<span class = "smallroman">A.D.</span>, in his historical invasion of +the Netherlands, which is referred to in the poem four times (<a href = +"#line1207">70</a>, <a href = "#line2356">135</a>, <a href = +"#line2502">143</a>, <a href = "#line2911">165</a>).</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Ing</span> (<a href = "#line2576">147</a>). +<i>See</i> <a href = "#names_ingwines">Ingwines</a>.</p> + +<p>Ingeld (<a href = "#line2064">119</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = +"#names_freawaru">Freawaru</a>.</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">187</span> +<a name = "page187" id = "page187"> </a> + +<p><a name = "names_ingwines" id = "names_ingwines">Ingwines</a> (<a +href = "#line1044">60</a>, <a href = "#line1319">77</a>), "friends of +Ing," the Danes. Ing, according to the Old English <i>Rune-Poem</i>, +"was first seen by men amid the East Danes"; he has been identified with +Frea.</p> + + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Merwing</span>, The (<a href = +"#line2920">165</a>), the Merovingian king of the Franks.</p> + + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Offa</span> (<a href = "#line1949">113</a>). +<i>See</i> <a href = "#names_thrytho">Thrytho</a>.</p> + +<p>Ohthere (<a href = "#line2379">136</a>-<a href = "#line2393"><span +class = "fillin">13</span>7</a>, <a href = "#line2927">165</a>), son of +the Swedish King Ongentheow, and father of Eanmund and Eadgils +(<i>q.v.</i>).</p> + +<p>Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn" (<a href = "#line2386">137</a>) and elder +brother of Ohthere, is king of Sweden ("the helm of the Scylfings," <a +href = "#line2380">136</a>) at the time of the rebellion of Eanmund and +Eadgils. He invades the land of the Geats, which has harboured the +rebels, slays Heardred, son of Hygelac, and then retreats before +Beowulf. At a later time Beowulf avenges the death of Heardred by +supporting Eadgils, "son of Ohthere" (<a href = "#line2393">137</a>), in +an invasion of Sweden, in which Onela is slain. <i>See also</i> <a href += "#names_eadgils">Eadgils</a>; and compare the slaying of Ali by Athils +on the ice of Lake Wener in the Icelandic "Heimskringla."</p> + +<p>Ongentheow, father of Onela and Ohthere, was a former king of the +Swedes. The earlier strife between the Swedes and the Geats, in which he +is the chief figure, is fully related by the messenger (<a href = +"#chapXL">164</a>) who brings the tidings of Beowulf's death. In +retaliation for the marauding invasions of Onela and Ohthere (<a href = +"#line2474">142</a>), Hęthcyn invaded Sweden, and took Ongentheow's +queen prisoner. Ongentheow in return invaded the land of her captor, +whom he slew, and rescued his wife (<a href = "#line2923">165</a>); but +in his hour of triumph he was attacked in his turn by Hygelac near +Ravenwood, and fell by the hand of Eofor (<a href = +"#line2960">168</a>).</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">188</span> +<a name = "page188" id = "page188"> </a> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Scaney</span> (<a href = "#line1686">97</a>), +Scede-lands (<a href = "#line19">2</a>), the most southern portion of +the Scandinavian peninsula, belonging to the Danes; used in our poem for +the whole Danish kingdom.</p> + +<p>Scyld (<a href = "#line4">1</a>), son of Sheaf, was the mythical +founder of the royal Danish dynasty of Scyldings.</p> + +<p>Scyldings, descendants of Scyld, properly the name of the reigning +Danish dynasty, is commonly extended to include the Danish people (<a +href = "#line30">3</a>).</p> + +<p>Scylfing: "the Scylfing" (<a href = "#line2967">167</a>), "the aged +of Scylfings" (<a href = "#line2486">142</a>), is Ongentheow.</p> + +<p>Scylfings (<a href = "#line2380">136</a>), the name of the reigning +Swedish dynasty, was extended to the Swedish people in the same way as +"Scyldings" to the Danes. Beowulf's kinsman Wiglaf is called "lord of +Scylfings" (<a href = "#chapXXXVI">149</a>), and in another passage the +name is apparently applied to the Geats (<a href = "#line3004">170</a>); +this seems to point to a common ancestry of Swedes and Geats, or it may +be that Beowulf's father Ecgtheow was a "Scylfing."</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<a name = "names_thrytho" id = "names_thrytho"><span class = +"smallcaps">Thrytho</span></a> (<a href = "#line1931">112</a>), wife of +the Angle King Offa and mother of Eomęr, is mentioned in contrast to +Hygd, just as Heremod is a foil to Beowulf. She is at first the type of +a cruel, unwomanly queen. But by her marriage with Offa, who seems to be +her second husband, she is subdued and changed until her fame even adds +glory to his.</p> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Unferth</span>, son of Ecglaf, is the +spokesman of Hrothgar, at whose feet he sits. He is of a jealous +disposition, and is twice spoken of as the murderer of his own brothers +(<a href = "#line587">34</a>, <a href = "#line1165">67</a>). Taunting +Beowulf with defeat in his swimming-match with Breca, he is silenced by +the hero's reply, and more effectually still by the issue of the +struggle with Grendel (<a href = "#line980">57</a>). Afterwards, +however, he lends his sword Hrunting for Beowulf's encounter with +Grendel's mother (<a href = "#line1467">85</a>, <a href = +"#line1808">104</a>).</p> + +<span class = "pagenum">189</span> +<a name = "page189" id = "page189"> </a> + +<p class = "space"> +<span class = "smallcaps">Węgmundings</span> (<a href = +"#line2605">149</a>, <a href = "#line2803">160</a>), the family to which +both Beowulf and Wiglaf belong. Their fathers, Ecgtheow and Weohstan, +may have been sons of Węgmund.</p> + +<p>Wedermark (<a href = "#line298">17</a>), the land of the Weder-Geats, +<i>i.e.</i> the Geats.</p> + +<p>Weders, Weder-Geats (<a href = "#line225">13</a>, <a href = +"#line1492">86</a>, <a href = "#line2120">122</a>), Geats.</p> + +<p>Weland (<a href = "#line455">26</a>), the Völund of the Edda, the +famous smith of Teutonic legend, was the maker of Beowulf's coat of +mail. See the figured casket in the British Museum; and compare "Wayland +Smith's Cave" near the White Horse, in Berkshire.</p> + +<p>Weohstan was the father of Beowulf's kinsman and faithful henchman +Wiglaf, and the slayer of Eanmund (<a href = "#chapXXXVI">149</a>).</p> + +<p>Wonred, father of "Wulf the Wonreding" (<a href = +"#line2964">167</a>), and of Eofor.</p> + +<p>Wulf (<a href = "#line2964">167</a>). <i>See</i> <a href = +"#names_eofor">Eofor</a>.</p> + +<p>Wulfgar, "a lord of the Wendels" (<a href = "#line348">20</a>), is an +official of Hrothgar's court, where he is the first to greet Beowulf and +his Geats, and introduces them to Hrothgar.</p> + +<p><ins class = "correction" +title = "spelled 'Withergyld' in body text">Wythergyld</ins> +(<a href = "#line2051">118</a>) is a warrior of the Heathobards.</p> + +</div> + +<span class = "pagenum">190</span> +<a name = "page190" id = "page190"> </a> + +<h3 class = "chapter"><a name = "vocab" id = "vocab"> +THE MEANING OF SOME WORDS<br> +NOT COMMONLY USED NOW</a></h3> + +<h5>(<i>Numbers refer to Pages</i>)</h5> + +<p class = "mynote"> +In this and the preceding section, links lead directly to the name or +word cited.</p> + +<div class = "vocab"> + +<table summary = "list of words in two columns"> +<tr> +<td width = "50%"> +<p><i>A-banning, the work was</i> (<a href = "#abanning">5</a>), +orders for the work were given.</p> + +<p><i>Arede</i> (<a href = "#arede"><ins class = "correction" +title = "text reads '118'">119</ins></a>), possess.</p> + +<p><i>Atheling</i>, prince, noble, noble warrior.</p> + +<p><i>Barm</i>, lap, bosom.</p> + +<p><i>Behalsed</i> (<a href = "#behalsed">5</a>), embraced by the neck.</p> + +<p><i>Berne</i>, man, warrior, hero.</p> + +<p><i>Bestead</i> (<a href = "#bestead">143</a>), served.</p> + +<p><i>Beswealed</i>, scorched, burnt.</p> + +<p><i>Beswinked</i>, sweated.</p> + +<p><i>Birlers</i>, cup-bearers.</p> + +<p><i>Board</i>, shield.</p> + +<p><i>Bode</i>, announce.</p> + +<p><i>Bollen</i>, swollen, angry.</p> + +<p><i>Boot</i> (<a href = "#boot">9</a>), compensation.</p> + +<p><i>Boun</i> (<a href = "#boun">18</a>), made ready.</p> + +<p><i>Braided</i> (<a href = "#braided">147</a>), drew, lifted.</p> + +<p><i>Brim</i>, sea.</p> + +<p><i>Brook</i>, use, enjoy.</p> + +<p><i>Burg</i>, fortified place, stronghold, mount, barrow; protection; +protector; family (<a href = "#burg">163</a>).</p> + +<p><i>Byrny</i>, coat of mail.</p> + +<p><i>Devil-dray</i>, nest of devils. Cf. <i>squirrel's-dray</i>, +common in Berks; used by Cowper.</p> + +<p><i>Dreary</i>, bloody.</p> + +<p><i>Dree</i>, do, accomplish, suffer, enjoy, spend +(<a href = "#dree">155</a>).</p> + +<p><i>Ealdor</i>, chief, lord.</p> + +<p><i>Eme</i>, uncle.</p> + +<p><i>Eoten</i>, giant, monster, enemy.</p> + +<p><i>Fathom</i>, embrace.</p> + +<p><i>Feeless</i>, not to be atoned for with money.</p> + +<p><i>Ferry</i>, bring, carry.</p> + +<p><i>Fifel</i>, monster.</p> + +<p><i>Flyting</i>, contending, scolding.</p> + +<p><i>Fold</i>, the earth.</p> + +<p><i>Forheed</i>, disregard.</p> + +<p><i>Forwritten</i>, +<span class = "pagenum">191</span> +<a name = "page191" id = "page191"> </a> +proscribed.</p> + +<p><i>Frist</i>, space of time, delay.</p> + +<p><i>Gar</i>, spear.</p> + +<p><i>Graithly</i>, readily, well.</p> + +</td> +<td> + +<p><i>Halse</i>, neck.</p> + +<p><i>Hand-shoal</i>, band of warriors.</p> + +<p><i>Hery</i>, praise.</p> + +<p><i>Hild-play</i>, battle.</p> + +<p><i>Holm</i>, ocean, sea.</p> + +<p><i>Holm-throng</i>, eddy of the sea.</p> + +<p><i>Holt</i>, wood.</p> + +<p><i>Hote</i>, call.</p> + +<p><i>Howe</i>, mound, burial-mound.</p> + +<p><i>Hythe</i>, ferry, haven.</p> + +<p><i>Kemp</i>, champion, fighter.</p> + +<p><i>Lithe</i>, slope.</p> + +<p><i>Loom</i>, heirloom.</p> + +<p><i>Low</i> (<a href = "#low">133</a>), flame.</p> + +<p><i>Lyke</i>, body.</p> + +<p><i>Moody</i>, brave, proud.</p> + +<p><i>Nicors</i>, sea-monsters.</p> + +<p><i>Nithing</i> (<a href = "#nithing">12</a>), spite, malice.</p> + +<p><i>O'erthinking</i>, overweening, arrogance.</p> + +<p><i>Rail, railings</i>, coat, armour.</p> + +<p><i>Rimed</i>, counted, reckoned.</p> + +<p><i>Sea-lode</i>, sea-voyage.</p> + +<p><i>Sin</i>, malice, hatred, hostility.</p> + +<p><i>Skinked</i>, poured out.</p> + +<p><i>Slot</i>, track.</p> + +<p><i>Staple</i>, threshold.</p> + +<p><i>Stone-bow</i>, arch of stone.</p> + +<p><i>Sty</i>, stride, ascend, descend.</p> + +<p><i>Sweal</i>, burn.</p> + +<p><i>Through-witting</i>, understanding.</p> + +<p><i>Undern</i>, from 9 o'clock till 12 o'clock; +"at undren and at middai," O.E. Miscellany.</p> + +<p><i>Warths</i>, shores, still in use at Wick St. Lawrence, +in Somerset.</p> + +<p><i>Wick</i>, dwelling.</p> + +<p><i>Wick-stead</i>, dwelling-place.</p> + +<p><i>Wise</i>, direct, show.</p> + +<p><i>Wit-lust</i>, curiosity.</p> + +<p><i>Worth</i>, shall be.</p> + +<p><i>Wreak</i>, utter.</p> + +<p><i>Wyte</i>, blame, charge with.</p> + +<p><i>Yare</i>, ready.</p> + +<p><i>Yode</i>, went.</p> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +</div> + +<p> </p> +<p> </p> +<hr class="full" noshade> +<p>***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF BEOWULF***</p> +<p>******* This file should be named 20431-h.txt or 20431-h.zip *******</p> +<p>This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:<br /> +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/4/3/20431">http://www.gutenberg.org/2/0/4/3/20431</a></p> +<p>Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed.</p> + +<p>Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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For +example an eBook of filename 10234 would be found at: + +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/0/2/3/10234 + +or filename 24689 would be found at: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/4/6/8/24689 + +An alternative method of locating eBooks: +<a href="http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL">http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/GUTINDEX.ALL</a> + +*** END: FULL LICENSE *** +</pre> +</body> +</html> diff --git a/20431.txt b/20431.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a2e28cf --- /dev/null +++ b/20431.txt @@ -0,0 +1,4696 @@ +The Project Gutenberg eBook, The Tale of Beowulf, by Anonymous, Translated +by William Morris and Alfred John Wyatt + + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + + + + +Title: The Tale of Beowulf + Sometime King of the Folk of the Weder Geats + + +Author: Anonymous + + + +Release Date: January 23, 2007 [eBook #20431] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-646-US (US-ASCII) + + +***START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF BEOWULF*** + + +E-text prepared by Louise Hope, R. Cedron, and the Project Gutenberg +Online Distributed Proofreading Team (http://www.pgdp.net/c/) + + + +Transcriber's note: + + In the printed book, line numbering was determined by the physical + length of a line. Sometimes the numbered line was one or even two + lines above or below the nearest multiple of 10. Where a stanza ended + on a multiple of 10, the first line of the following stanza was + numbered instead. Line numbers have been regularized for this e-text. + + + + + +THE TALE OF BEOWULF +Sometime King of the +Folk of the Weder Geats + +Translated by + +WILLIAM MORRIS and A. J. WYATT + + + + + + + +Longmans, Green, and Co. +39 Paternoster Row, London +New York and Bombay +MCMIV + +Bibliographical Note + +First printed at the Kelmscott Press, January 1895 +Ordinary Edition . . . . . . . . . . . August 1898 +Reprinted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . August 1904 + + + + +CONTENTS +(table added by transcriber) + + Argument + + Chapter I. And First of the Kindred of Hrothgar. + + II. Concerning Hrothgar, and How He Built the House Called + Hart. Also Grendel Is Told of. + + III. How Grendel Fell Upon Hart and Wasted It. + + IV. Now Comes Beowulf Ecgtheow's Son to the Land of the + Danes, and the Wall-Warden Speaketh With Him. + + V. Here Beowulf Makes Answer to the Land-Warden, Who + Showeth Him the Way to the King's Abode. + + VI. Beowulf and the Geats Come Into Hart. + + VII. Beowulf Speaketh With Hrothgar, and Telleth How He Will + Meet Grendel. + + VIII. Hrothgar Answereth Beowulf and Biddeth Him Sit to the + Feast. + + IX. Unferth Contendeth in Words With Beowulf. + + X. Beowulf Makes An End of His Tale of the Swimming. + Wealhtheow, Hrothgar's Queen, Greets Him; and Hrothgar + Delivers to Him the Warding of the Hall. + + XI. Now Is Beowulf Left in the Hall Alone With His Men. + + XII. Grendel Cometh Into Hart: of the Strife Betwixt Him and + Beowulf. + + XIII. Beowulf Hath the Victory: Grendel Is Hurt Deadly and + Leaveth Hand and Arm in the Hall. + + XIV. The Danes Rejoice; They Go to Look on the Slot of + Grendel, and Come Back to Hart, and on the Way Make + Merry With Racing and the Telling of Tales. + + XV. King Hrothgar and His Thanes Look on the Arm of Grendel. + Converse Betwixt Hrothgar and Beowulf Concerning the + Battle. + + XVI. Hrothgar Giveth Gifts to Beowulf. + + XVII. They Feast in Hart. The Gleeman Sings of Finn and + Hengest. + + XVIII. The Ending of the Tale of Finn. + + XIX. More Gifts Are Given to Beowulf. The Brising Collar + Told of. + + XX. Grendel's Dam Breaks Into Hart and Bears Off Aeschere. + + XXI. Hrothgar Laments the Slaying of Aeschere, and Tells of + Grendel's Mother and Her Den. + + XXII. They Follow Grendel's Dam to Her Lair. + + XXIII. Beowulf Reacheth the Mere-Bottom in A Day's While, and + Contends With Grendel's Dam. + + XXIV. Beowulf Slayeth Grendel's Dam, Smiteth Off Grendel's + Head, and Cometh Back With His Thanes to Hart. + + XXV. Converse of Hrothgar With Beowulf. + + XXVI. More Converse of Hrothgar and Beowulf: the Geats Make + Them Ready For Departure. + + XXVII. Beowulf Bids Hrothgar Farewell: the Geats Fare to Ship. + + XXVIII. Beowulf Comes Back to His Land. of the Tale of Thrytho. + + XXIX. Beowulf Tells Hygelac of Hrothgar: Also of Freawaru His + Daughter. + + XXX. Beowulf Forebodes Ill From the Wedding of Freawaru: He + Tells of Grendel and His Dam. + + XXXI. Beowulf Gives Hrothgar's Gifts to Hygelac, and By Him + Is Rewarded. of the Death of Hygelac and of Heardred + His Son, and How Beowulf Is King of the Geats: the Worm + Is First Told of. + + XXXII. How the Worm Came to the Howe, and How He Was Robbed of + A Cup; and How He Fell on the Folk. + + XXXIII. The Worm Burns Beowulf's House, and Beowulf Gets Ready + to Go Against Him. Beowulf's Early Deeds in Battle With + the Hetware Told of. + + XXXIV. Beowulf Goes Against the Worm. He Tells of Herebeald + and Haethcyn. + + XXXV. Beowulf Tells of Past Feuds, and Bids Farewell to His + Fellows: He Falls on the Worm, and the Battle of Them + Begins. + + XXXVI. Wiglaf Son of Weohstan Goes to the Help of Beowulf: + Naegling, Beowulf's Sword, Is Broken on the Worm. + + XXXVII. They Two Slay the Worm. Beowulf Is Wounded Deadly: He + Biddeth Wiglaf Bear Out the Treasure. + + XXXVIII. Beowulf Beholdeth the Treasure and Passeth Away. + + XXXIX. Wiglaf Casteth Shame on Those Fleers. + + XL. Wiglaf Sendeth Tiding to the Host: the Words of the + Messenger. + + XLI. More Words of the Messenger. How He Fears the Swedes + When They Wot of Beowulf Dead. + + XLII. They Go to Look on the Field of Deed. + + XLIII. Of the Burial of Beowulf. + + Persons and Places + + The Meaning of Some Words + + + + +ARGUMENT + +Hrothgar, king of the Danes, lives happily and peacefully, and bethinks +him to build a glorious hall called Hart. But a little after, one +Grendel, of the kindred of the evil wights that are come of Cain, hears +the merry noise of Hart and cannot abide it; so he enters thereinto by +night, and slays and carries off and devours thirty of Hrothgar's +thanes. Thereby he makes Hart waste for twelve years, and the tidings of +this mishap are borne wide about lands. Then comes to the helping of +Hrothgar Beowulf, the son of Ecgtheow, a thane of King Hygelac of the +Geats, with fourteen fellows. They are met on the shore by the +land-warder, and by him shown to Hart and the stead of Hrothgar, who +receives them gladly, and to whom Beowulf tells his errand, that he will +help him against Grendel. They feast in the hall, and one Unferth, son +of Ecglaf, taunts Beowulf through jealousy that he was outdone by Breca +in swimming. Beowulf tells the true tale thereof. And a little after, at +nightfall, Hrothgar and his folk leave the hall Hart, and it is given in +charge to Beowulf, who with his Geats abides there the coming of +Grendel. + +Soon comes Grendel to the hall, and slays a man of the Geats, hight +Handshoe, and then grapples with Beowulf, who will use no weapon against +him: Grendel feels himself over-mastered and makes for the door, and +gets out, but leaves his hand and arm behind him with Beowulf: men on +the wall hear the great noise of this battle and the wailing of Grendel. +In the morning the Danes rejoice, and follow the bloody slot of Grendel, +and return to Hart racing and telling old tales, as of Sigemund and the +Worm. Then come the king and his thanes to look on the token of victory, +Grendel's hand and arm, which Beowulf has let fasten: to the hall-gable. + +The king praises Beowulf and rewards him, and they feast in Hart, and +the tale of Finn and Hengest is told. Then Hrothgar leaves Hart, and so +does Beowulf also with his Geats, but the Danes keep guard there. + +In the night comes in Grendel's Mother, and catches up Aeschere, a thane +of Hrothgar, and carries him off to her lair. In the morning is Beowulf +fetched to Hrothgar, who tells him of this new grief and craves his +help. + +Then they follow up the slot and come to a great water-side, and find +thereby Aeschere's head, and the place is known for the lair of those +two: monsters are playing in the deep, and Beowulf shoots one of them to +death. Then Beowulf dights him and leaps into the water, and is a day's +while reaching the bottom. There he is straightway caught hold of by +Grendel's Mother, who bears him into her hall. When he gets free he +falls on her, but the edge of the sword Hrunting (lent to him by +Unferth) fails him, and she casts him to the ground and draws her sax to +slay him; but he rises up, and sees an old sword of the giants hanging +on the wall; he takes it and smites off her head therewith. He sees +Grendel lying dead, and his head also he strikes off; but the blade of +the sword is molten in his venomous blood. Then Beowulf strikes upward, +taking with him the head of Grendel and the hilts of the sword. When he +comes to the shore he finds his Geats there alone; for the Danes fled +when they saw the blood floating in the water. + +They go up to Hrothgar's stead, and four men must needs bear the head. +They come to Hrothgar, and Beowulf gives him the hilts and tells him +what he has done. Much praise is given to Beowulf; and they feast +together. + +On the morrow Beowulf bids farewell to Hrothgar, more gifts are given, +and messages are sent to Hygelac: Beowulf departs with the full love of +Hrothgar. The Geats come to their ship and reward the ship-warder, and +put off and sail to their own land. Beowulf comes to Hygelac's house. +Hygelac is told of, and his wife Hygd, and her good conditions, against +whom is set as a warning the evil Queen Thrytho. + +Beowulf tells all the tale of his doings in full to Hygelac, and gives +him his gifts, and the precious-gemmed collar to Hygd. Here is told of +Beowulf, and how he was contemned in his youth, and is now grown so +renowned. + +Time wears; Hygelac is slain in battle; Heardred, his son, reigns in his +stead, he is slain by the Swedes, and Beowulf is made king. When he is +grown old, and has been king for fifty years, come new tidings. A great +dragon finds on the sea-shore a mound wherein is stored the treasure of +ancient folk departed. The said dragon abides there, and broods the gold +for 300 years. + +Now a certain thrall, who had misdone against his lord and was fleeing +from his wrath, haps on the said treasure and takes a cup thence, which +he brings to his lord to appease his wrath. The Worm waketh, and findeth +his treasure lessened, but can find no man who hath done the deed. +Therefore he turns on the folk, and wars on them, and burns Beowulf's +house. + +Now Beowulf will go and meet the Worm. He has an iron shield made, and +sets forth with eleven men and the thrall the thirteenth. He comes to +the ness, and speaks to his men, telling them of his past days, and +gives them his last greeting: then he cries out a challenge to the Worm, +who comes forth, and the battle begins: Beowulf's sword will not bite on +the Worm. Wiglaf eggs on the others to come to Beowulf's help, and goes +himself straightway, and offers himself to Beowulf; the Worm comes on +again, and Beowulf breaks his sword Naegling on him, and the Worm wounds +Beowulf. Wiglaf smites the Worm in the belly; Beowulf draws his ax, and +between them they slay the Worm. + +Beowulf now feels his wounds, and knows that he is hurt deadly; he sits +down by the wall, and Wiglaf bathes his wounds. Beowulf speaks, tells +how he would give his armour to his son if he had one; thanks God that +he has not sworn falsely or done guilefully; and prays Wiglaf to bear +out the treasure that he may see it before he dies. + +Wiglaf fetches out the treasure, and again bathes Beowulf's wounds; +Beowulf speaks again, rejoices over the sight of the treasure; gives to +Wiglaf his ring and his armour, and bids the manner of his bale-fire. +With that he passes away. Now the dastards come thereto and find Wiglaf +vainly bathing his dead lord. He casteth shame upon them with great +wrath. Thence he sends a messenger to the barriers of the town, who +comes to the host, and tells them of the death of Beowulf. He tells +withal of the old feud betwixt the Geats and the Swedes, and how these, +when they hear of the death of the king, will be upon them. The warriors +go to look on Beowulf, and find him and the Worm lying dead together. +Wiglaf chooses out seven of them to go void the treasure-house, after +having bidden them gather wood for the bale-fire. They shove the Worm +over the cliff into the sea, and bear off the treasure in wains. Then +they bring Beowulf's corpse to bale, and they kindle it; a woman called +the wife of aforetime, it may be Hygd, widow of Hygelac, bemoans him: +and twelve children of the athelings ride round the bale, and bemoan +Beowulf and praise him: and thus ends the poem. + + + + +THE STORY OF BEOWULF + + + + + I. AND FIRST OF THE KINDRED OF HROTHGAR. + + + What! we of the Spear-Danes of yore days, so was it + That we learn'd of the fair fame of kings of the folks + And the athelings a-faring in framing of valour. + Oft then Scyld the Sheaf-son from the hosts of the scathers, + From kindreds a many the mead-settles tore; + It was then the earl fear'd them, sithence was he first + Found bare and all-lacking; so solace he bided, + Wax'd under the welkin in worship to thrive, + Until it was so that the round-about sitters + All over the whale-road must hearken his will 10 + And yield him the tribute. A good king was that, + By whom then thereafter a son was begotten, + A youngling in garth, whom the great God sent thither + To foster the folk; and their crime-need he felt + The load that lay on them while lordless they lived + For a long while and long. He therefore, the Life-lord, + The Wielder of glory, world's worship he gave him: + Brim Beowulf waxed, and wide the weal upsprang + Of the offspring of Scyld in the parts of the Scede-lands. + Such wise shall a youngling with wealth be a-working 20 + With goodly fee-gifts toward the friends of his father, + That after in eld-days shall ever bide with him, + Fair fellows well-willing when wendeth the war-tide, + Their lief lord a-serving. By praise-deeds it shall be + That in each and all kindreds a man shall have thriving. + Then went his ways Scyld when the shapen while was, + All hardy to wend him to the lord and his warding: + Out then did they bear him to the side of the sea-flood, + The dear fellows of him, as he himself pray'd them + While yet his word wielded the friend of the Scyldings, 30 + The dear lord of the land; a long while had he own'd it. + With stem all be-ringed at the hythe stood the ship, + All icy and out-fain, the Atheling's ferry. + There then did they lay him, the lord well beloved, + The gold-rings' bestower, within the ship's barm, + The mighty by mast. Much there was the treasure, + From far ways forsooth had the fret-work been led: + Never heard I of keel that was comelier dighted + With weapons of war, and with weed of the battle, + With bills and with byrnies. There lay in his barm 40 + Much wealth of the treasure that with him should be, + And he into the flood's might afar to depart. + No lesser a whit were the wealth-goods they dight him + Of the goods of the folk, than did they who aforetime, + When was the beginning, first sent him away + Alone o'er the billows, and he but a youngling. + Moreover they set him up there a sign golden + High up overhead, and let the holm bear him, + Gave all to the Spearman. Sad mind they had in them, + And mourning their mood was. Now never knew men, 50 + For sooth how to say it, rede-masters in hall, + Or heroes 'neath heaven, to whose hands came the lading. + + + + + II. CONCERNING HROTHGAR, + AND HOW HE BUILT THE HOUSE CALLED HART. + ALSO GRENDEL IS TOLD OF. + + + In the burgs then was biding Beowulf the Scylding, + Dear King of the people, for long was he dwelling + Far-famed of folks (his father turn'd elsewhere, + From his stead the Chief wended) till awoke to him after + Healfdene the high, and long while he held it, + Ancient and war-eager, o'er the glad Scyldings: + Of his body four bairns are forth to him rimed; + Into the world woke the leader of war-hosts 60 + Heorogar; eke Hrothgar, and Halga the good; + Heard I that Elan queen was she of Ongentheow, + That Scylding of battle, the bed-mate behalsed. + Then was unto Hrothgar the war-speed given, + Such worship of war that his kin and well-willers + Well hearken'd his will till the younglings were waxen, + A kin-host a many. Then into his mind ran + That he would be building for him now a hall-house, + That men should be making a mead-hall more mighty + Than the children of ages had ever heard tell of: 70 + And there within eke should he be out-dealing + To young and to old all things God had given, + Save the share of the folk and the life-days of men. + Then heard I that widely the work was a-banning + To kindreds a many the Middle-garth over + To fret o'er that folk-stead. So befell to him timely + Right soon among men that made was it yarely + The most of hall-houses, and Hart its name shap'd he, + Who wielded his word full widely around. + His behest he belied not; it was he dealt the rings, 80 + The wealth at the high-tide. Then up rose the hall-house, + High up and horn-gabled. Hot surges it bided + Of fire-flame the loathly, nor long was it thenceforth + Ere sorely the edge-hate 'twixt Son and Wife's Father + After the slaughter-strife there should awaken. + Then the ghost heavy-strong bore with it hardly + E'en for a while of time, bider in darkness, + That there on each day of days heard he the mirth-tide + Loud in the hall-house. There was the harp's voice, + And clear song of shaper. Said he who could it 90 + To tell the first fashion of men from aforetime; + Quoth how the Almighty One made the Earth's fashion, + The fair field and bright midst the bow of the Waters, + And with victory beglory'd set Sun and Moon, + Bright beams to enlighten the biders on land: + And how he adorned all parts of the earth + With limbs and with leaves; and life withal shaped + For the kindred of each thing that quick on earth wendeth. + So liv'd on all happy the host of the kinsmen + In game and in glee, until one wight began, 100 + A fiend out of hell-pit, the framing of evil, + And Grendel forsooth the grim guest was hight, + The mighty mark-strider, the holder of moorland, + The fen and the fastness. The stead of the fifel + That wight all unhappy a while of time warded, + Sithence that the Shaper him had for-written. + On the kindred of Cain the Lord living ever + Awreaked the murder of the slaying of Abel. + In that feud he rejoic'd not, but afar him He banish'd, + The Maker, from mankind for the crime he had wrought. 110 + But offspring uncouth thence were they awoken + Eotens and elf-wights, and ogres of ocean, + And therewith the Giants, who won war against God + A long while; but He gave them their wages therefor. + + + + + III. HOW GRENDEL FELL UPON HART AND WASTED IT. + + + Now went he a-spying, when come was the night-tide, + The house on high builded, and how there the Ring-Danes + Their beer-drinking over had boune them to bed; + And therein he found them, the atheling fellows, + Asleep after feasting. Then sorrow they knew not + Nor the woe of mankind: but the wight of wealth's waning, 120 + The grim and the greedy, soon yare was he gotten, + All furious and fierce, and he raught up from resting + A thirty of thanes, and thence aback got him + Right fain of his gettings, and homeward to fare, + Fulfilled of slaughter his stead to go look on. + Thereafter at dawning, when day was yet early, + The war-craft of Grendel to men grew unhidden, + And after his meal was the weeping uphoven, + Mickle voice of the morning-tide: there the Prince mighty, + The Atheling exceeding good, unblithe he sat, 130 + Tholing the heavy woe; thane-sorrow dreed he + Since the slot of the loathly wight there they had look'd on, + The ghost all accursed. O'er grisly the strife was, + So loathly and longsome. No longer the frist was + But after the wearing of one night; then fram'd he + Murder-bales more yet, and nowise he mourned + The feud and the crime; over fast therein was he. + Then easy to find was the man who would elsewhere + Seek out for himself a rest was more roomsome, + Beds end-long the bowers, when beacon'd to him was, 140 + And soothly out told by manifest token, + The hate of the hell-thane. He held himself sithence + Further and faster who from the fiend gat him. + In such wise he rul'd it and wrought against right, + But one against all, until idle was standing + The best of hall-houses; and mickle the while was, + Twelve winter-tides' wearing; and trouble he tholed, + That friend of the Scyldings, of woes every one + And wide-spreading sorrows: for sithence it fell + That unto men's children unbidden 'twas known 150 + Full sadly in singing, that Grendel won war + 'Gainst Hrothgar a while of time, hate-envy waging, + And crime-guilts and feud for seasons no few, + And strife without stinting. For the sake of no kindness + Unto any of men of the main-host of Dane-folk + Would he thrust off the life-bale, or by fee-gild allay it, + Nor was there a wise man that needed to ween + The bright boot to have at the hand of the slayer. + The monster the fell one afflicted them sorely, + That death-shadow darksome the doughty and youthful 160 + Enfettered, ensnared; night by night was he faring + The moorlands the misty. But never know men + Of spell-workers of Hell to and fro where they wander. + So crime-guilts a many the foeman of mankind, + The fell alone-farer, fram'd oft and full often, + Cruel hard shames and wrongful, and Hart he abode in, + The treasure-stain'd hall, in the dark of the night-tide; + But never the gift-stool therein might he greet, + The treasure before the Creator he trow'd not. + Mickle wrack was it soothly for the friend of the Scyldings, 170 + Yea heart and mood breaking. Now sat there a many + Of the mighty in rune, and won them the rede + Of what thing for the strong-soul'd were best of all things + Which yet they might frame 'gainst the fear and the horror. + And whiles they behight them at the shrines of the heathen + To worship the idols; and pray'd they in words, + That he, the ghost-slayer, would frame for them helping + 'Gainst the folk-threats and evil So far'd they their wont, + The hope of the heathen; nor hell they remember'd + In mood and in mind. And the Maker they knew not, 180 + The Doomer of deeds: nor of God the Lord wist they, + Nor the Helm of the Heavens knew aught how to hery, + The Wielder of Glory. Woe worth unto that man + Who through hatred the baneful his soul shall shove into + The fire's embrace; nought of fostering weens he, + Nor of changing one whit. But well is he soothly + That after the death-day shall seek to the Lord, + In the breast of the Father all peace ever craving. + + + + + IV. NOW COMES BEOWULF ECGTHEOW'S SON + TO THE LAND OF THE DANES, + AND THE WALL-WARDEN SPEAKETH WITH HIM. + + + So care that was time-long the kinsman of Healfdene + Still seeth'd without ceasing, nor might the wise warrior 190 + Wend otherwhere woe, for o'er strong was the strife + All loathly so longsome late laid on the people, + Need-wrack and grim nithing, of night-bales the greatest. + Now that from his home heard the Hygelac's thane, + Good midst of the Geat-folk; of Grendel's deeds heard he. + But he was of mankind of might and main mightiest + In the day that we tell of, the day of this life, + All noble, strong-waxen. He bade a wave-wearer + Right good to be gear'd him, and quoth he that the war-king + Over the swan-road he would be seeking, 200 + The folk-lord far-famed, since lack of men had he. + Forsooth of that faring the carles wiser-fashion'd + Laid little blame on him, though lief to them was he; + The heart-hardy whetted they, heeded the omen. + There had the good one, e'en he of the Geat-folk, + Champions out-chosen of them that he keenest + Might find for his needs; and he then the fifteenth, + Sought to the sound-wood. A swain thereon show'd him, + A sea-crafty man, all the make of the land-marks. + Wore then a while, on the waves was the floater, 210 + The boat under the berg, and yare then the warriors + Strode up on the stem; the streams were a-winding + The sea 'gainst the sands. Upbore the swains then + Up into the bark's barm the bright-fretted weapons, + The war-array stately; then out the lads shov'd her, + The folk on the welcome way shov'd out the wood-bound. + Then by the wind driven out o'er the wave-holm + Far'd the foamy-neck'd floater most like to a fowl, + Till when was the same tide of the second day's wearing + The wound-about-stemm'd one had waded her way, 220 + So that then they that sail'd her had sight of the land, + Bleak shine of the sea-cliffs, bergs steep up above, + Sea-nesses wide reaching; the sound was won over, + The sea-way was ended: then up ashore swiftly + The band of the Weder-folk up on earth wended; + They bound up the sea-wood, their sarks on them rattled, + Their weed of the battle, and God there they thanked + For that easy the wave-ways were waxen unto them. + But now from the wall saw the Scylding-folks' warder, + E'en he whom the holm-cliffs should ever be holding, 230 + Men bear o'er the gangway the bright shields a-shining, + Folk-host gear all ready. Then mind-longing wore him, + And stirr'd up his mood to wot who were the men-folk. + So shoreward down far'd he his fair steed a-riding, + Hrothgar's Thane, and full strongly then set he a-quaking + The stark wood in his hands, and in council-speech speer'd he: + What men be ye then of them that have war-gear, + With byrnies bewarded, who the keel high up-builded + Over the Lake-street thus have come leading. + Hither o'er holm-ways hieing in ring-stem? 240 + End-sitter was I, a-holding the sea-ward, + That the land of the Dane-folk none of the loathly + Faring with ship-horde ever might scathe it. + None yet have been seeking more openly hither + Of shield-havers than ye, and ye of the leave-word + Of the framers of war naught at all wotting, + Or the manners of kinsmen. But no man of earls greater + Saw I ever on earth than one of you yonder, + The warrior in war-gear: no hall-man, so ween I, + Is that weapon-beworthy'd, but his visage belie him, 250 + The sight seen once only. Now I must be wotting + The spring of your kindred ere further ye cast ye, + And let loose your false spies in the Dane-land a-faring + Yet further afield. So now, ye far-dwellers, + Ye wenders o'er sea-flood, this word do ye hearken + Of my one-folded thought: and haste is the handiest + To do me to wit of whence is your coming. + + + + + V. HERE BEOWULF MAKES ANSWER TO THE LAND-WARDEN, + WHO SHOWETH HIM THE WAY TO THE KING'S ABODE. + + + He then that was chiefest in thus wise he answer'd, + The war-fellows' leader unlock'd he the word-hoard: + We be a people of the Weder-Geats' man-kin 260 + And of Hygelac be we the hearth-fellows soothly. + My father before me of folks was well-famed + Van-leader and atheling, Ecgtheow he hight. + Many winters abode he, and on the way wended + An old man from the garths, and him well remembers + Every wise man well nigh wide yond o'er the earth. + Through our lief mood and friendly the lord that is thine, + Even Healfdene's son, are we now come a-seeking, + Thy warder of folk. Learn us well with thy leading, + For we have to the mighty an errand full mickle, 270 + To the lord of the Dane-folk: naught dark shall it be, + That ween I full surely. If it be so thou wottest, + As soothly for our parts we now have heard say, + That one midst of the Scyldings, who of scathers I wot not, + A deed-hater secret, in the dark of the night-tide + Setteth forth through the terror the malice untold of, + The shame-wrong and slaughter. I therefore to Hrothgar + Through my mind fashion'd roomsome the rede may now learn him, + How he, old-wise and good, may get the fiend under, + If once more from him awayward may turn 280 + The business of bales, and the boot come again, + And the weltering of care wax cooler once more; + Or for ever sithence time of stress he shall thole, + The need and the wronging, the while yet there abideth + On the high stead aloft the best of all houses. + Then spake out the warden on steed there a-sitting, + The servant all un-fear'd: It shall be of either + That the shield-warrior sharp the sundering wotteth, + Of words and of works, if he think thereof well. + I hear it thus said that this host here is friendly 290 + To the lord of the Scyldings; forth fare ye then, bearing + Your weed and your weapons, of the way will I wise you; + Likewise mine own kinsmen I will now be bidding + Against every foeman your floater before us, + Your craft but new-tarred, the keel on the sand, + With honour to hold, until back shall be bearing + Over the lake-streams this one, the lief man, + The wood of the wounden-neck back unto Wedermark. + Unto such shall be granted amongst the good-doers + To win the way out all whole from the war-race. 300 + Then boun they to faring, the bark biding quiet; + Hung upon hawser the wide-fathom'd ship + Fast at her anchor. Forth shone the boar-shapes + Over the check-guards golden adorned, + Fair-shifting, fire-hard; ward held the farrow. + Snorted the war-moody, hasten'd the warriors + And trod down together until the hall timbered, + Stately and gold-bestain'd, gat they to look on, + That was the all-mightiest unto earth's dwellers + Of halls 'neath the heavens, wherein bode the mighty; 310 + Glisten'd the gleam thereof o'er lands a many. + Unto them then the war-deer the court of the proud one + Full clearly betaught it, that they therewithal + Might wend their ways thither. Then he of the warriors + Round wended his steed, and spake a word backward: + Time now for my faring; but the Father All-wielder + May He with all helping henceforward so hold you + All whole in your wayfaring. Will I to sea-side + Against the wroth folk to hold warding ever. + + + + + VI. BEOWULF AND THE GEATS COME INTO HART. + + + Stone-diverse the street was, straight uplong the path led 320 + The warriors together. There shone the war-byrny + The hard and the hand-lock'd; the ring-iron sheer + Sang over their war-gear, when they to the hall first + In their gear the all-fearful had gat them to ganging. + So then the sea-weary their wide shields set down, + Their war-rounds the mighty, against the hall's wall. + Then bow'd they to bench, and rang there the byrnies, + The war-weed of warriors, and up-stood the spears, + The war-gear of the sea-folk all gather'd together. + The ash-holt grey-headed; that host of the iron 330 + With weapons was worshipful. There then a proud chief + Of those lads of the battle speer'd after their line: + Whence ferry ye then the shields golden-faced, + The grey sarks therewith, and the helms all bevisor'd, + And a heap of the war-shafts? Now am I of Hrothgar + The man and the messenger: ne'er saw I of aliens + So many of men more might-like of mood. + I ween that for pride-sake, no wise for wrack-wending + But for high might of mind, ye to Hrothgar have sought. + Unto him then the heart-hardy answer'd and spake, 340 + The proud earl of the Weders the word gave aback, + The hardy neath helm: Now of Hygelac are we + The board-fellows; Beowulf e'en is my name, + And word will I say unto Healfdene's son, + To the mighty, the folk-lord, what errand is mine, + Yea unto thy lord, if to us he will grant it + That him, who so good is, anon we may greet. + Spake Wulfgar the word, a lord of the Wendels, + And the mood of his heart of a many was kenned, + His war and his wisdom: I therefore the Danes' friend 350 + Will lightly be asking, of the lord of the Scyldings, + The dealer of rings, since the boon thou art bidding, + The mighty folk-lord, concerning thine errand, + And swiftly the answer shall do thee to wit + Which the good one to give thee aback may deem meetest. + Then turn'd he in haste to where Hrothgar was sitting + Right old and all hoary mid the host of his earl-folk: + Went the valour-stark; stood he the shoulders before + Of the Dane-lord: well could he the doughty ones' custom. + So Wulfgar spake forth to his lord the well-friendly: 360 + Hither are ferry'd now, come from afar off + O'er the field of the ocean, a folk of the Geats; + These men of the battle e'en Beowulf name they + Their elder and chiefest, and to thee are they bidding + That they, O dear lord, with thee may be dealing + In word against word. Now win them no naysay + Of thy speech again-given, O Hrothgar the glad-man: + For they in their war-gear, methinketh, be worthy + Of good deeming of earls; and forsooth naught but doughty + Is he who hath led o'er the warriors hither. 370 + + + + + VII. BEOWULF SPEAKETH WITH HROTHGAR, + AND TELLETH HOW HE WILL MEET GRENDEL. + + + Word then gave out Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings: + I knew him in sooth when he was but a youngling, + And his father, the old man, was Ecgtheow hight; + Unto whom at his home gave Hrethel the Geat-lord + His one only daughter; and now hath his offspring + All hardy come hither a lief lord to seek him. + For that word they spake then, the sea-faring men, + E'en they who the gift-seat for the Geat-folk had ferry'd, + Brought thither for thanks, that of thirty of menfolk + The craft of might hath he within his own handgrip, 380 + That war-strong of men. Now him holy God + For kind help hath sent off here even to us, + We men of the West Danes, as now I have weening, + 'Gainst the terror of Grendel. So I to that good one + For his mighty mood-daring shall the dear treasure bid. + Haste now and be speedy, and bid them in straightway, + The kindred-band gather'd together, to see us, + And in words say thou eke that they be well comen + To the folk of the Danes. To the door of the hall then + Went Wulfgar, and words withinward he flitted: 390 + He bade me to say you, my lord of fair battle, + The elder of East-Danes, that he your blood knoweth, + And that unto him are ye the sea-surges over, + Ye lads hardy-hearted, well come to land hither; + And now may ye wend you all in war-raiment + Under the battle-mask Hrothgar to see. + But here let your battle-boards yet be abiding, + With your war-weed and slaughter-shafts, issue of words. + Then rose up the rich one, much warriors around him, + Chosen heap of the thanes, but there some abided 400 + The war-gear to hold, as the wight one was bidding. + Swift went they together, as the warrior there led them, + Under Hart's roof: went the stout-hearted, + The hardy neath helm, till he stood by the high-seat. + Then Beowulf spake out, on him shone the byrny, + His war-net besown by the wiles of the smith: + Hail to thee, Hrothgar! I am of Hygelac + Kinsman and folk-thane; fair deeds have I many + Begun in my youth-tide, and this matter of Grendel + On the turf of mine own land undarkly I knew. 410 + 'Tis the seafarers' say that standeth this hall, + The best house forsooth, for each one of warriors + All idle and useless, after the even-light + Under the heaven-loft hidden becometh. + Then lightly they learn'd me, my people, this lore, + E'en the best that there be of the wise of the churls, + O Hrothgar the kingly, that thee should I seek to, + Whereas of the might of my craft were they cunning; + For they saw me when came I from out of my wargear, + Blood-stain'd from the foe whenas five had I bounden, 420 + Quell'd the kin of the eotens, and in the wave slain + The nicors by night-tide: strait need then I bore, + Wreak'd the grief of the Weders, the woe they had gotten; + I ground down the wrathful; and now against Grendel + I here with the dread one alone shall be dooming, + In Thing with the giant. I now then with thee, + O lord of the bright Danes, will fall to my bidding, + O berg of Scyldings, and bid thee one boon, + Which, O refuge of warriors, gainsay me not now, + Since, O free friend of folks, from afar have I come, 430 + That I alone, I and my band of the earls, + This hard heap of men, may cleanse Hart of ill. + This eke have I heard say, that he, the fell monster, + In his wan-heed recks nothing of weapons of war; + Forgo I this therefore (if so be that Hygelac + Will still be my man-lord, and he blithe of mood) + To bear the sword with me, or bear the broad shield, + Yellow-round to the battle; but with naught save the hand-grip + With the foe shall I grapple, and grope for the life + The loathly with loathly. There he shall believe 440 + In the doom of the Lord whom death then shall take. + Now ween I that he, if he may wield matters, + E'en there in the war-hall the folk of the Geats + Shall eat up unafear'd, as oft he hath done it + With the might of the Hrethmen: no need for thee therefore + My head to be hiding; for me will he have + With gore all bestain'd, if the death of men get me; + He will bear off my bloody corpse minded to taste it; + Unmournfully then will the Lone-goer eat it, + Will blood-mark the moor-ways; for the meat of my body 450 + Naught needest thou henceforth in any wise grieve thee. + But send thou to Hygelac, if the war have me, + The best of all war-shrouds that now my breast wardeth, + The goodliest of railings, the good gift of Hrethel, + The hand-work of Weland. Weird wends as she willeth. + + + + + VIII. HROTHGAR ANSWERETH BEOWULF + AND BIDDETH HIM SIT TO THE FEAST. + + + Spake out then Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings: + Thou Beowulf, friend mine, for battle that wardeth + And for help that is kindly hast sought to us hither. + Fought down thy father the most of all feuds; + To Heatholaf was he forsooth for a hand-bane 460 + Amidst of the Wylfings. The folk of the Weders + Him for the war-dread that while might not hold. + So thence did he seek to the folk of the South-Danes + O'er the waves' wallow, to the Scyldings be-worshipped. + Then first was I wielding the weal of the Dane-folk, + That time was I holding in youth-tide the gem-rich + Hoard-burg of the heroes. Dead then was Heorogar, + Mine elder of brethren; unliving was he, + The Healfdene's bairn that was better than I. + That feud then thereafter with fee did I settle; 470 + I sent to the Wylfing folk over the waters' back + Treasures of old time; he swore the oaths to me. + Sorrow is in my mind that needs must I say it + To any of grooms, of Grendel what hath he + Of shaming in Hart, and he with his hate-wiles + Of sudden harms framed; the host of my hall-floor, + The war-heap, is waned; Weird swept them away + Into horror of Grendel. It is God now that may lightly + The scather the doltish from deeds thrust aside. + Full oft have they boasted with beer well bedrunken, 480 + My men of the battle all over the ale-stoup, + That they in the beer-hall would yet be abiding + The onset of Grendel with the terror of edges. + But then was this mead-hall in the tide of the morning, + This warrior-hall, gore-stain'd when day at last gleamed, + All the boards of the benches with blood besteam'd over, + The hall laid with sword-gore: of lieges less had I + Of dear and of doughty, for them death had gotten. + Now sit thou to feast and unbind thy mood freely, + Thy war-fame unto men as the mind of thee whetteth. 490 + Then was for the Geat-folk and them all together + There in the beer-hall a bench bedight roomsome, + There the stout-hearted hied them to sitting + Proud in their might: a thane minded the service, + Who in hand upbare an ale-stoup adorned, + Skinked the sheer mead; whiles sang the shaper + Clear out in Hart-hall; joy was of warriors, + Men doughty no little of Danes and of Weders. + + + + + IX. UNFERTH CONTENDETH IN WORDS WITH BEOWULF. + + + Spake out then Unferth that bairn was of Ecglaf, + And he sat at the feet of the lord of the Scyldings, 500 + He unbound the battle-rune; was Beowulf's faring, + Of him the proud mere-farer, mickle unliking, + Whereas he begrudg'd it of any man other + That he glories more mighty the middle-garth over + Should hold under heaven than he himself held: + Art thou that Beowulf who won strife with Breca + On the wide sea contending in swimming, + When ye two for pride's sake search'd out the floods + And for a dolt's cry into deep water + Thrust both your life-days? No man the twain of you, 510 + Lief or loth were he, might lay wyte to stay you + Your sorrowful journey, when on the sea row'd ye; + Then when the ocean-stream ye with your arms deck'd, + Meted the mere-streets, there your hands brandish'd! + O'er the Spearman ye glided; the sea with waves welter'd, + The surge of the winter. Ye twain in the waves' might + For a seven nights swink'd. He outdid thee in swimming, + And the more was his might; but him in the morn-tide + To the Heatho-Remes' land the holm bore ashore. + And thence away sought he to his dear land and lovely, 520 + The lief to his people sought the land of the Brondings, + The fair burg peace-warding, where he the folk owned, + The burg and the gold rings. What to theeward he boasted, + Beanstan's son, for thee soothly he brought it about. + Now ween I for thee things worser than erewhile, + Though thou in the war-race wert everywhere doughty, + In the grim war, if thou herein Grendel darest + Night-long for a while of time nigh to abide. + Then Beowulf spake out, the Ecgtheow's bairn: + What! thou no few of things, O Unferth my friend, 530 + And thou drunken with beer, about Breca hast spoken, + Saidest out of his journey; so the sooth now I tell: + To wit, that the more might ever I owned, + Hard wearing on wave more than any man else. + We twain then, we quoth it, while yet we were younglings, + And we boasted between us, the twain of us being yet + In our youth-days, that we out onto the Spearman + Our lives would adventure; and e'en so we wrought It. + We had a sword naked, when on the sound row'd we, + Hard in hand, as we twain against the whale-fishes 540 + Had mind to be warding us. No whit from me + In the waves of the sea-flood afar might he float + The hastier in holm, nor would I from him hie me. + Then we two together, we were in the sea + For a five nights, till us twain the flood drave asunder, + The weltering of waves. Then the coldest of weathers + In the dusking of night and the wind from the northward + Battle-grim turn'd against us, rough grown were the billows. + Of the mere-fishes then was the mood all up-stirred; + There me 'gainst the loathly the body-sark mine, 550 + The hard and the hand-lock'd, was framing me help, + My battle-rail braided, it lay on my breast + Gear'd graithly with gold. But me to the ground tugg'd + A foe and fiend-scather; fast he had me In hold + That grim one in grip: yet to me was it given. + That the wretch there, the monster, with point might I reach, + With my bill of the battle, and the war-race off bore + The mighty mere-beast through the hand that was mine. + + + + + X. BEOWULF MAKES AN END OF HIS TALE OF THE SWIMMING. + WEALHTHEOW, HROTHGAR'S QUEEN, GREETS HIM; + AND HROTHGAR DELIVERS TO HIM THE WARDING OF THE HALL. + + + Thus oft and oft over the doers of evil + They threatened me hard; thane-service I did them 560 + With the dear sword of mine, as forsooth it was meet, + That nowise of their fill did they win them the joy + The evil fordoers in swallowing me down, + Sitting round at the feast nigh the ground of the sea. + Yea rather, a morning-tide, mangled by sword-edge + Along the waves' leaving up there did they lie + Lull'd asleep with the sword, so that never sithence + About the deep floods for the farers o'er ocean + The way have they letted. Came the light from the eastward, + The bright beacon of God, and grew the seas calm, 570 + So that the sea-nesses now might I look on, + The windy walls. Thuswise Weird oft will be saving + The earl that is unfey, when his valour availeth. + Whatever, it happ'd me that I with the sword slew + Nicors nine. Never heard I of fighting a night-tide + 'Neath the vault of the heavens was harder than that, + Nor yet on the sea-streams of woefuller wight. + Whatever, forth won I with life from the foes' clutch + All of wayfaring weary. But me the sea upbore, + The flood downlong the tide with the weltering of waters, 580 + All onto the Finnland. No whit of thee ever + Mid such strife of the battle-gear have I heard say, + Such terrors of bills. Nor never yet Breca + In the play of the battle, nor both you, nor either, + So dearly the deeds have framed forsooth + With the bright flashing swords; though of this naught I boast me. + But thou of thy brethren the banesman becamest, + Yea thine head-kin forsooth, for which in hell shalt thou + Dree weird of damnation, though doughty thy wit be; + For unto thee say I forsooth, son of Ecglaf, 590 + That so many deeds never Grendel had done, + That monster the loathly, against thine own lord, + The shaming in Hart-hall, if suchwise thy mind were, + And thy soul e'en as battle-fierce, such as thou sayest. + But he, he hath fram'd it that the feud he may heed not, + The fearful edge-onset that is of thy folk, + Nor sore need be fearful of the Victory-Scyldings. + The need-pledges taketh he, no man he spareth + Of the folk of the Danes, driveth war as he lusteth, + Slayeth and feasteth unweening of strife 600 + With them of the Spear-Danes. But I, I shall show it, + The Geats' wightness and might ere the time weareth old, + Shall bide him in war-tide. Then let him go who may go + High-hearted to mead, sithence when the morn-light + O'er the children of men of the second day hence, + The sun clad in heaven's air, shines from the southward. + Then merry of heart was the meter of treasures, + The hoary-man'd war-renown'd, help now he trow'd in; + The lord of the Bright-Danes on Beowulf hearken'd, + The folk-shepherd knew him, his fast-ready mind. 610 + There was laughter of heroes, and high the din rang + And winsome the words were. Went Wealhtheow forth, + The Queen she of Hrothgar, of courtesies mindful, + The gold-array'd greeted the grooms in the hall, + The free and frank woman the beaker there wended, + And first to the East-Dane-folk's fatherland's warder, + And bade him be blithe at the drinking of beer, + To his people beloved, and lustily took he + The feast and the hall-cup, that victory-fam'd King. + Then round about went she, the Dame of the Helmings, 620 + And to doughty and youngsome, each deal of the folk there, + Gave cups of the treasure, till now it betid + That to Beowulf duly the Queen the ring-dighted, + Of mind high uplifted, the mead-beaker bare. + Then she greeted the Geat-lord, and gave God the thank, + She, the wisefast In words, that the will had wax'd in her + In one man of the earls to have trusting and troth + For comfort from crimes. But the cup then he took, + The slaughter-fierce warrior, from Wealhtheow the Queen. + And then rim'd he the word, making ready for war, 630 + And Beowulf spake forth, the Ecgtheow's bairn: + E'en that in mind had I when up on holm strode I, + And in sea-boat sat down with a band of my men, + That for once and for all the will of your people + Would I set me to work, or on slaughter-field cringe + Fast in grip of the fiend; yea and now shall I frame + The valour of earl-folk, or else be abiding + The day of mine end, here down in the mead-hall. + To the wife those his words well liking they were, + The big word of the Geat; and the gold-adorn'd wended, 640 + The frank and free Queen to sit by her lord. + And thereafter within the high hall was as erst + The proud word outspoken and bliss on the people, + Was the sound of the victory-folk, till on a sudden + The Healfdene's son would now be a-seeking + His rest of the even: wotted he for the Evil + Within the high hall was the Hild-play bedight, + Sithence that the sun-light no more should they see, + When night should be darkening, and down over all + The shapes of the shadow-helms should be a-striding 650 + Wan under the welkin. Uprose then all war-folk; + Then greeted the glad-minded one man the other, + Hrothgar to Beowulf, bidding him hail, + And the wine-hall to wield, and withal quoth the word: + Never to any man erst have I given, + Since the hand and the shield's round aloft might I heave, + This high hall of the Dane-folk, save now unto thee. + Have now and hold the best of all houses, + Mind thee of fame, show the might of thy valour! + Wake the wroth one: no lack shall there be to thy willing 660 + If that wight work thou win and life therewithal. + + + + + XI. NOW IS BEOWULF LEFT IN THE HALL ALONE WITH HIS MEN. + + + Then wended him Hrothgar with the band of his warriors, + The high-ward of the Scyldings from out of the hall, + For then would the war-lord go seek unto Wealhtheow + The Queen for a bed-mate. The glory of king-folk + Against Grendel had set, as men have heard say, + A hall-ward who held him a service apart + In the house of the Dane-lord, for eoten-ward held he. + Forsooth he, the Geat-lord, full gladly he trowed + In the might of his mood and the grace of the Maker. 670 + Therewith he did off him his byrny of iron + And the helm from his head, and his dighted sword gave, + The best of all irons, to the thane that abode him, + And bade him to hold that harness of battle. + Bespake then the good one, a big word he gave out, + Beowulf the Geat, ere on the bed strode he: + Nowise in war I deem me more lowly + In the works of the battle than Grendel, I ween; + So not with the sword shall I lull him to slumber, + Or take his life thuswise, though to me were it easy; 680 + Of that good wise he wots not, to get the stroke on me, + To hew on my shield, for as stark as he shall be + In the works of the foeman. So we twain a night-tide + Shall forgo the sword, if he dare yet to seek + The war without weapons. Sithence the wise God, + The Lord that is holy, on which hand soever + The glory may doom as due to him seemeth. + Bowed down then the war-deer, the cheek-bolster took + The face of the earl; and about him a many + Of sea-warriors bold to their hall-slumber bow'd them; 690 + No one of them thought that thence away should he + Seek ever again to his home the beloved, + His folk or his free burg, where erst he was fed; + For of men had they learn'd that o'er mickle a many + In that wine-hall aforetime the fell death had gotten + Of the folk of the Danes; but the Lord to them gave it, + To the folk of the Weders, the web of war-speeding, + Help fair and good comfort, e'en so that their foeman + Through the craft of one man all they overcame, + By the self-might of one. So is manifest truth 700 + That God the Almighty the kindred of men + Hath wielded wide ever. Now by wan night there came, + There strode in the shade-goer; slept there the shooters, + They who that horn-house should be a-holding, + All men but one man: to men was that known, + That them indeed might not, since will'd not the Maker, + The scather unceasing drag off 'neath the shadow; + But he ever watching in wrath 'gainst the wroth one + Mood-swollen abided the battle-mote ever. + + + + + XII. GRENDEL COMETH INTO HART: + OF THE STRIFE BETWIXT HIM AND BEOWULF. + + + Came then from the moor-land, all under the mist-bents, 710 + Grendel a-going there, bearing God's anger. + The scather the ill one was minded of mankind + To have one in his toils from the high hall aloft. + 'Neath the welkin he waded, to the place whence the wine-house, + The gold-hall of men, most yarely he wist + With gold-plates fair coloured; nor was it the first time + That he unto Hrothgar's high home had betook him. + Never he in his life-days, either erst or thereafter, + Of warriors more hardy or hall-thanes had found. + Came then to the house the wight on his ways, 720 + Of all joys bereft; and soon sprang the door open, + With fire-bands made fast, when with hand he had touch'd it; + Brake the bale-heedy, he with wrath bollen, + The mouth of the house there, and early thereafter + On the shiny-fleck'd floor thereof trod forth the fiend; + On went he then mood-wroth, and out from his eyes stood + Likest to fire-flame light full unfair. + In the high house beheld he a many of warriors, + A host of men sib all sleeping together, + Of man-warriors a heap; then laugh'd out his mood; 730 + In mind deem'd he to sunder, or ever came day, + The monster, the fell one, from each of the men there + The life from the body; for befell him a boding + Of fulfilment of feeding: but weird now it was not + That he any more of mankind thenceforward + Should eat, that night over. Huge evil beheld then + The Hygelac's kinsman, and how the foul scather + All with his fear-grips would fare there before him; + How never the monster was minded to tarry, + For speedily gat he, and at the first stour, 740 + A warrior a-sleeping, and unaware slit him, + Bit his bone-coffer, drank blood a-streaming, + Great gobbets swallow'd in; thenceforth soon had he + Of the unliving one every whit eaten + To hands and feet even: then forth strode he nigher, + And took hold with his hand upon him the highhearted. + The warrior a-resting; reach'd out to himwards + The fiend with his hand, gat fast on him rathely + With thought of all evil, and besat him his arm. + Then swiftly was finding the herdsman of fouldeeds 750 + That forsooth he had met not in Middle-garth ever, + In the parts of the earth, in any man else + A hand-grip more mighty; then wax'd he of mood + Heart-fearful, but none the more outward might he; + Hence-eager his heart was to the darkness to hie him, + And the devil-dray seek: not there was his service + E'en such as he found in his life-days before. + Then to heart laid the good one, the Hygelac's kinsman, + His speech of the even-tide; uplong he stood + And fast with him grappled, till bursted his fingers. 760 + The eoten was out-fain, but on strode the earl. + The mighty fiend minded was, whereso he might, + To wind him about more widely away thence, + And flee fenwards; he found then the might of his fingers + In the grip of the fierce one; sorry faring was that + Which he, the harm-scather, had taken to Hart. + The warrior-hall dinn'd now; unto all Danes there waxed, + To the castle-abiders, to each of the keen ones, + To all earls, as an ale-dearth. Now angry were both + Of the fierce mighty warriors, far rang out the hall-house; 770 + Then mickle the wonder it was that the wine-hall + Withstood the two war-deer, nor welter'd to earth + The fair earthly dwelling; but all fast was it builded + Within and without with the banding of iron + By crafty thought smithy'd. But there from the sill bow'd + Fell many a mead-bench, by hearsay of mine, + With gold well adorned, where strove they the wrothful. + Hereof never ween'd they, the wise of the Scyldings, + That ever with might should any of men + The excellent, bone-dight, break into pieces, 780 + Or unlock with cunning, save the light fire's embracing + In smoke should it swallow. So uprose the roar + New and enough; now fell on the North-Danes + Ill fear and the terror, on each and on all men, + Of them who from wall-top hearken'd the weeping, + Even God's foeman singing the fear-lay, + The triumphless song, and the wound-bewailing + Of the thrall of the Hell; for there now fast held him + He who of men of main was the mightiest + In that day which is told of, the day of this life. 790 + + + + + XIII. BEOWULF HATH THE VICTORY: + GRENDEL IS HURT DEADLY + AND LEAVETH HAND AND ARM IN THE HALL. + + + Naught would the earls' help for anything thenceforth + That murder-comer yet quick let loose of, + Nor his life-days forsooth to any of folk + Told he for useful. Out then drew full many + Of Beowult's earls the heir-loom of old days, + For their lord and their master's fair life would hey ward, + That mighty of princes, if so might they do it. + For this did they know not when they the strife dreed, + Those hardy-minded men of the battle, + And on every half there thought to be hewing, 800 + And search out his soul, that the ceaseless scather + Not any on earth of the choice of all irons, + Not one of the war-bills, would greet home for ever. + For he had forsworn him from victory-weapons, + And each one of edges. But his sundering of soul + In the days that we tell of, the day of this life, + Should be weary and woeful, the ghost wending elsewhere + To the wielding of fiends to wend him afar. + Then found he out this, he who mickle erst made + Out of mirth of his mood unto children of men 810 + And had fram'd many crimes, he the foeman of God, + That the body of him would not bide to avail him, + But the hardy of mood, even Hygelac's kinsman, + Had him fast by the hand: now was each to the other + All loathly while living: his body-sore bided + The monster: was manifest now on his shoulder + The unceasing wound, sprang the sinews asunder, + The bone-lockers bursted. To Beowulf now + Was the battle-fame given; should Grendel thenceforth + Flee life-sick awayward and under the fen-bents 820 + Seek his unmerry stead: now wist he more surely + That ended his life was, and gone over for ever, + His day-tale told out. But was for all Dane-folk + After that slaughter-race all their will done. + Then had he cleans'd for them, he the far-comer, + Wise and stout-hearted, the high hall of Hrothgar, + And say'd it from war. So the night-work he joy'd in + And his doughty deed done. Yea, but he for the East-Danes + That lord of the Geat-folk his boast's end had gotten, + Withal their woes bygone all had he booted, 830 + And the sorrow hate-fashion'd that afore they had dreed, + And the hard need and bitter that erst they must bear, + The sorrow unlittle. Sithence was clear token + When the deer of the battle laid down there the hand + The arm and the shoulder, and all there together + Of the grip of that Grendel 'neath the great roof upbuilded. + + + + + XIV. THE DANES REJOICE; + THEY GO TO LOOK ON THE SLOT OF GRENDEL, + AND COME BACK TO HART, AND ON THE WAY MAKE MERRY + WITH RACING AND THE TELLING OF TALES. + + + There was then on the morning, as I have heard tell it, + Round the gift-hall a many of men of the warriors: + Were faring folk-leaders from far and from near + O'er the wide-away roads the wonder to look on, 840 + The track of the loathly: his life-sundering nowise + Was deem'd for a sorrow to any of men there + Who gaz'd on the track of the gloryless wight; + How he all a-weary of mood thence awayward, + Brought to naught in the battle, to the mere of the nicors, + Now fey and forth-fleeing, his life-steps had flitted. + There all in the blood was the sea-brim a-welling, + The dread swing of the waves was washing all mingled + With hot blood; with the gore of the sword was it welling; + The death-doom'd had dyed it, sithence he unmerry 850 + In his fen-hold had laid down the last of his life, + His soul of the heathen, and hell gat hold on him. + Thence back again far'd they those fellows of old, + With many a young one, from their wayfaring merry, + Full proud from the mere-side on mares there a-riding + The warriors on white steeds. There then was of Beowulf + Set forth the might mighty; oft quoth it a many + That nor northward nor southward beside the twin sea-floods, + Over all the huge earth's face now never another, + Never under the heaven's breadth, was there a better, 860 + Nor of wielders of war-shields a worthier of kingship; + But neither their friendly lord blam'd they one whit, + Hrothgar the glad, for good of kings was he. + There whiles the warriors far-famed let leap + Their fair fallow horses and fare into flyting + Where unto them the earth-ways for fair-fashion'd seemed, + Through their choiceness well kenned; and whiles a king's thane, + A warrior vaunt-laden, of lays grown bemindful, + E'en he who all many of tales of the old days + A multitude minded, found other words also 870 + Sooth-bounden, and boldly the man thus began + E'en Beowulf's wayfare well wisely to stir, + With good speed to set forth the spells well areded + And to shift about words. And well of all told he + That he of Sigemund erst had heard say, + Of the deeds of his might; and many things uncouth: + Of the strife of the Waelsing and his wide wayfarings, + Of those that men's children not well yet they wist, + The feud and the crimes, save Fitela with him; + Somewhat of such things yet would he say, 880 + The eme to the nephew; e'en as they aye were + In all strife soever fellows full needful; + And full many had they of the kin of the eotens + Laid low with the sword. And to Sigemund upsprang + After his death-day fair doom unlittle + Sithence that the war-hard the Worm there had quelled, + The herd of the hoard; he under the hoar stone, + The bairn of the Atheling, all alone dar'd it, + That wight deed of deeds; with him Fitela was not. + But howe'er, his hap was that the sword so through-waded 890 + The Worm the all-wondrous, that in the wall stood + The iron dear-wrought: and the drake died the murder. + There had the warrior so won by wightness, + That he of the ring-hoard the use might be having + All at his own will. The sea-boat he loaded, + And into the ship's barm bore the bright fretwork + Waels' son. In the hotness the Worm was to-molten. + Now he of all wanderers was widely the greatest + Through the peoples of man-kind, the warder of warriors, + By mighty deeds; erst then and early he throve. 900 + Now sithence the warfare of Heremod waned, + His might and his valour, amidst of the eotens + To the wielding of foemen straight was he betrayed, + And speedily sent forth: by the surges of sorrow + O'er-long was he lam'd, became he to his lieges, + To all of the athelings, a life-care thenceforward. + Withal oft bemoaned in times that were older + The ways of that stout heart many a carle of the wisest. + Who trow'd in him boldly for booting of bales, + And had look'd that the king's bairn should ever be thriving, 910 + His father's own lordship should take, hold the folk, + The hoard and the ward-burg, and realm of the heroes, + The own land of the Scyldings. To all men was Beowulf, + The Hygelac's kinsman to the kindred of menfolk, + More fair unto friends; but on Heremod crime fell. + So whiles the men flyting the fallow street there + With their mares were they meting. There then was the morn-light + Thrust forth and hasten'd; went many a warrior + All hardy of heart to the high hall aloft + The rare wonder to see; and the King's self withal 920 + From the bride-bower wended, the warder of ring-hoards, + All glorious he trod and a mickle troop had he, + He for choice ways beknown; and his Queen therewithal + Meted the mead-path with a meyny of maidens. + + + + + XV. KING HROTHGAR AND HIS THANES + LOOK ON THE ARM OF GRENDEL. + CONVERSE BETWIXT HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF + CONCERNING THE BATTLE. + + + Out then spake Hrothgar; for he to the hall went, + By the staple a-standing the steep roof he saw + Shining fair with the gold, and the hand there of Grendel: + For this sight that I see to the All-wielder thanks + Befall now forthwith, for foul evil I bided, + All griefs from this Grendel; but God, glory's Herder, 930 + Wonder on wonder ever can work. + Unyore was it then when I for myself + Might ween never more, wide all through my life-days, + Of the booting of woes; when all blood-besprinkled + The best of all houses stood sword-gory here; + Wide then had the woe thrust off each of the wise + Of them that were looking that never life-long + That land-work of the folk they might ward from the loathly, + From ill wights and devils. But now hath a warrior + Through the might of the Lord a deed made thereunto 940 + Which we, and all we together, in nowise + By wisdom might work. What! well might be saying + That maid whosoever this son brought to birth + According to man's kind, if yet she be living, + That the Maker of old time to her was all-gracious + In the bearing of bairns. O Beowulf, I now + Thee best of all men as a son unto me + Will love in my heart, and hold thou henceforward + Our kinship new-made now; nor to thee shall be lacking + As to longings of world-goods whereof I have wielding; 950 + Full oft I for lesser things guerdon have given, + The worship of hoards, to a warrior was weaker, + A worser in strife. Now thyself for thyself + By deeds hast thou fram'd it that liveth thy fair fame + For ever and ever. So may the All-wielder + With good pay thee ever, as erst he hath done it. + Then Beowulf spake out, the Ecgtheow's bairn: + That work of much might with mickle of love + We framed with fighting, and frowardly ventur'd + The might of the uncouth; now I would that rather 960 + Thou mightest have look'd on the very man there, + The foe in his fret-gear all worn unto falling. + There him in all haste with hard griping did I + On the slaughter-bed deem it to bind him indeed, + That he for my hand-grip should have to be lying + All busy for life: but his body fled off. + Him then, I might not (since would not the Maker) + From his wayfaring sunder, nor naught so well sought I + The life-foe; o'er-mickle of might was he yet, + The foeman afoot: but his hand has he left us, 970 + A life-ward, a-warding the ways of his wending, + His arm and his shoulder therewith. Yet in nowise + That wretch of the grooms any solace hath got him, + Nor longer will live the loathly deed-doer, + Beswinked with sins; for the sore hath him now + In the grip of need grievous, in strait hold togather'd + With bonds that be baleful: there shall he abide, + That wight dyed with all evil-deeds, the doom mickle, + For what wise to him the bright Maker will write it. + Then a silenter man was the son there of Ecglaf 980 + In the speech of the boasting of works of the battle, + After when every atheling by craft of the earl + Over the high roof had look'd on the hand there, + Yea, the fiend's fingers before his own eyen, + Each one of the nail-steads most like unto steel, + Hand-spur of the heathen one; yea, the own claw + Uncouth of the war-wight. But each one there quoth it, + That no iron of the best, of the hardy of folk, + Would touch him at all, which e'er of the monster + The battle-hand bloody might bear away thence. 990 + + + + + XVI. HROTHGAR GIVETH GIFTS TO BEOWULF. + + + Then was speedily bidden that Hart be withinward + By hand of man well adorn'd; was there a many + Of warriors and wives, who straightway that wine-house + The guest-house, bedight them: there gold-shotten shone + The webs over the walls, many wonders to look on + For men every one who on such things will stare. + Was that building the bright all broken about + All withinward, though fast in the bands of the iron; + Asunder the hinges rent, only the roof there + Was saved all sound, when the monster of evil 1000 + The guilty of crime-deeds had gat him to flight + Never hoping for life. Nay, lightly now may not + That matter be fled from, frame it whoso may frame it. + But by strife man shall win of the bearers of souls, + Of the children of men, compelled by need, + The abiders on earth, the place made all ready, + The stead where his body laid fast on his death-bed + Shall sleep after feast. Now time and place was it + When unto the hall went that Healfdene's son, + And the King himself therein the feast should be sharing; 1010 + Never heard I of men-folk in fellowship more + About their wealth-giver so well themselves bearing. + Then bow'd unto bench there the abounders in riches + And were fain of their fill. Full fairly there took + A many of mead-cups the kin of those men, + The sturdy of heart in the hall high aloft, + Hrothgar and Hrothulf. Hart there withinward + Of friends was fulfilled; naught there that was guilesome + The folk of the Scyldings for yet awhile framed. + Gave then to Beowulf Healfdene's bairn 1020 + A golden war-ensign, the victory's guerdon, + A staff-banner fair-dight, a helm and a byrny: + The great jewel-sword a many men saw them + Bear forth to the hero. Then Beowulf took + The cup on the floor, and nowise of that fee-gift + Before the shaft-shooters the shame need he have. + Never heard I how friendlier four of the treasures, + All gear'd with the gold about, many men erewhile + On the ale-bench have given to others of men. + Round the roof of the helm, the burg of the head, 1030 + A wale wound with wires held ward from without-ward, + So that the file-leavings might not over fiercely, + Were they never so shower-hard, scathe the shield-bold, + When he 'gainst the angry in anger should get him. + Therewith bade the earls' burg that eight of the horses + With cheek-plates adorned be led down the floor + In under the fences; on one thereof stood + A saddle all craft-bedeck'd, seemly with treasure. + That same was the war-seat of the high King full surely + Whenas that the sword-play that Healfdene's son 1040 + Would work; never failed in front of the war + The wide-kenn'd one's war-might, whereas fell the slain. + So to Beowulf thereon of either of both + The Ingwines' high warder gave wielding to have, + Both the war-steeds and weapons, and bade him well brook them. + Thuswise and so manly the mighty of princes, + Hoard-warden of heroes, the battle-race paid + With mares and with gems, so as no man shall blame them, + E'en he who will say sooth aright as it is. + + + + + XVII. THEY FEAST IN HART. + THE GLEEMAN SINGS OF FINN AND HENGEST. + + + Then the lord of the earl-folk to every and each one 1050 + Of them who with Beowulf the sea-ways had worn + Then and there on the mead-bench did handsel them treasure, + An heir-loom to wit; for him also he bade it + That a were-gild be paid, whom Grendel aforetime + By wickedness quell'd, as far more of them would he, + Save from them God all-witting the weird away wended, + And that man's mood withal. But the Maker all wielded + Of the kindred of mankind, as yet now he doeth. + Therefore through-witting will be the best everywhere + And the forethought of mind. Many things must abide 1060 + Of lief and of loth, he who here a long while + In these days of the strife with the world shall be dealing. + There song was and sound all gather'd together + Of that Healfdene's warrior and wielder of battle, + The wood of glee greeted, the lay wreaked often, + Whenas the hall-game the minstrel of Hrothgar + All down by the mead-bench tale must be making: + By Finn's sons aforetime, when the fear gat them, + The hero of Half-Danes, Hnaef of the Scyldings, + On the slaughter-field Frisian needs must he fall. 1070 + Forsooth never Hildeburh needed to hery + The troth of the Eotens; she all unsinning + Was lorne of her lief ones in that play of the linden, + Her bairns and her brethren, by fate there they fell + Spear-wounded. That was the all-woeful of women. + Not unduly without cause the daughter of Hoc + Mourn'd the Maker's own shaping, sithence came the morn + When she under the heavens that tide came to see, + Murder-bale of her kinsmen, where most had she erewhile? + Of world's bliss. The war-tide took all men away 1080 + Of Finn's thanes that were, save only a few; + E'en so that he might not on the field of the meeting + Hold Hengest a war-tide, or fight any whit, + Nor yet snatch away thence by war the woe-leavings + From the thane of the King; but terms now they bade him + That for them other stead all for all should make room, + A hall and high settle, whereof the half-wielding + They with the Eotens' bairns henceforth might hold, + And with fee-gifts moreover the son of Folkwalda + Each day of the days the Danes should beworthy; 1090 + The war-heap of Hengest with rings should he honour + Even so greatly with treasure of treasures, + Of gold all beplated, as he the kin Frisian + Down in the beer-hall duly should dight. + Troth then they struck there each of the two halves, + A peace-troth full fast. There Finn unto Hengest + Strongly, unstrifeful, with oath-swearing swore, + That he the woe-leaving by the doom of the wise ones + Should hold in ail honour, that never man henceforth + With word or with work the troth should be breaking, 1100 + Nor through craft of the guileful should undo it ever, + Though their ring-giver's bane they must follow in rank + All lordless, e'en so need is it to be: + But if any of Frisians by over-bold speaking + The murderful hatred should call unto mind, + Then naught but the edge of the sword should avenge it. + Then done was the oath there, and gold of the golden + Heav'd up from the hoard. Of the bold Here-Scyldings + All yare on the bale was the best battle-warrior; + On the death-howe beholden was easily there 1110 + The sark stain'd with war-sweat, the all-golden swine, + The iron-hard boar; there was many an atheling + With wounds all outworn; some on slaughter-field welter'd. + But Hildeburh therewith on Hnaef's bale she bade them + The own son of herself to set fast in the flame, + His bone-vats to burn up and lay on the bale there: + On his shoulder all woeful the woman lamented, + Sang songs of bewailing, as the warrior strode upward, + Wound up to the welkin that most of death-fires, + Before the howe howled; there molten the heads were, 1120 + The wound-gates burst open, there blood was out-springing + From foe-bites of the body; the flame swallow'd all, + The greediest of ghosts, of them that war gat him + Of either of folks; shaken off was their life-breath. + + + + + XVIII. THE ENDING OF THE TALE OF FINN. + + + Departed the warriors their wicks to visit + All forlorn of their friends now, Friesland to look on, + Their homes and their high burg. Hengest a while yet + Through the slaughter-dyed winter bode dwelling with Finn + And all without strife: he remember'd his homeland, + Though never he might o'er the mere be a-driving 1130 + The high prow be-ringed: with storm the holm welter'd, + Won war 'gainst the winds; winter locked the waves + With bondage of ice, till again came another + Of years into the garth, as yet it is ever, + And the days which the season to watch never cease, + The glory-bright weather; then gone was the winter, + And fair was the earth's barm. Now hastened the exile. + The guest from the garths; he on getting of vengeance + Of harms thought more greatly than of the sea's highway, + If he but a wrath-mote might yet be a-wending 1140 + Where the bairns of the Eotens might he still remember. + The ways of the world forwent he in nowise + Then, whenas Hunlafing the light of the battle, + The best of all bills, did into his breast, + Whereof mid the Eotens were the edges well knowen. + Withal to the bold-hearted Finn befell after + Sword-bales the deadly at his very own dwelling, + When the grim grip of war Guthlaf and Oslaf + After the sea-fare lamented with sorrow + And wyted him deal of their woes; nor then might he 1150 + In his breast hold his wavering heart. Was the hall dight + With the lives of slain foemen, and slain eke was Finn + The King 'midst of his court-men; and there the Queen, taken, + The shooters of the Scyldings ferry'd down to the sea-ships, + And the house-wares and chattels the earth-king had had, + E'en such as at Finn's home there might they find, + Of collars and cunning gems. They on the sea-path + The all-lordly wife to the Danes straightly wended, + Led her home to their people. So sung was the lay, + The song of the gleeman; then again arose game, 1160 + The bench-voice wax'd brighter, gave forth the birlers + Wine of the wonder-vats. Then came forth Wealhtheow + Under gold ring a-going to where sat the two good ones, + The uncle and nephew, yet of kindred unsunder'd, + Each true to the other. Eke Unferth the spokesman + Sat at feet of the Scyldings' lord; each of his heart trow'd + That of mickle mood was he, though he to his kinsmen + Were un-upright in edge-play. Spake the dame of the Scyldings: + Now take thou this cup, my lord of the kingly, + Bestower of treasures! Be thou in thy joyance, 1170 + Thou gold-friend of men! and speak to these Geat-folk + In mild words, as duly behoveth to do; + Be glad toward the Geat-folk, and mindful of gifts; + From anigh and from far peace hast thou as now. + To me one hath said it, that thou for a son wouldst + This warrior be holding. Lo! Hart now is cleansed, + The ring-hall bright-beaming. Have joy while thou mayest + In many a meed, and unto thy kinsmen + Leave folk and dominion, when forth thou must fare + To look on the Maker's own making. I know now 1180 + My Hrothulf the gladsome, that he this young man + Will hold in all honour if thou now before him, + O friend of the Scyldings, shall fare from the world; + I ween that good-will yet this man will be yielding + To our offspring that after us be, if he mind him + Of all that which we two, for good-will and for worship, + Unto him erst a child yet have framed of kindness. + Then along by the bench did she turn, where her boys were, + Hrethric and Hrothmund, and the bairns of high warriors, + The young ones together; and there sat the good one, 1190 + Beowulf the Geat, betwixt the two brethren. + + + + + XIX. MORE GIFTS ARE GIVEN TO BEOWULF. + THE BRISING COLLAR TOLD OF. + + + Borne to him then the cup was, and therewith friendly bidding + In words was put forth; and gold about wounden + All blithely they bade him bear; arm-gearings twain, + Rail and rings, the most greatest of fashion of neck-rings + Of them that on earth I have ever heard tell of: + Not one under heaven wrought better was heard of + Midst the hoard-gems of heroes, since bore away Hama + To the bright burg and brave the neck-gear of the Brisings, + The gem and the gem-chest: from the foeman's guile fled he 1200 + Of Eormenric then, and chose rede everlasting. + That ring Hygelac had, e'en he of the Geat-folk, + The grandson of Swerting, the last time of all times + When he under the war-sign his treasure defended, + The slaughter-prey warded. Him weird bore away + Sithence he for pride-sake the war-woe abided, + The feud with the Frisians; the fretwork he flitted, + The gem-stones much worthy, all over the waves' cup. + The King the full mighty cring'd under the shield; + Into grasp of the Franks the King's life was gotten 1210 + With the gear of the breast and the ring altogether; + It was worser war-wolves then reft gear from the slain + After the war-shearing; there the Geats' war-folk + Held the house of the dead men. The Hall took the voices; + Spake out then Wealhtheow; before the host said she: + Brook thou this roundel, lief Beowulf, henceforth, + Dear youth, with all hail, and this rail be thou using, + These gems of folk-treasures, and thrive thou well ever; + Thy might then make manifest! Be to these lads here + Kind of lore, and for that will I look to thy guerdon. 1220 + Thou hast won by thy faring, that far and near henceforth, + Through wide time to come, men will give thee the worship, + As widely as ever the sea winds about + The windy land-walls. Be the while thou art living + An atheling wealthy, and well do I will thee + Of good of the treasures; be thou to my son + In deed ever friendly, and uphold thy joyance! + Lo! each of the earls here to the other is trusty, + And mild of his mood and to man-lord full faithful, + Kind friends all the thanes are, the folk ever yare. 1230 + Ye well drunk of folk-grooms, now do ye my biddings. + To her settle then far'd she; was the feast of the choicest, + The men drank the wine nothing wotting of weird, + The grim shaping of old, e'en as forth it had gone + To a many of earls; sithence came the even, + And Hrothgar departed to his chamber on high, + The rich to his rest; and aright the house warded + Earls untold of number, as oft did they erewhile. + The bench-boards they bar'd them, and there they spread over + With beds and with bolsters. Of the beer-skinkers one 1240 + Who fain was and fey bow'd adown to his floor-rest. + At their heads then they rested their rounds of the battle, + Their board-woods bright-shining. There on the bench was, + Over the atheling, easy to look on + The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny be-ringed, + The wood of the onset, all-glorious. Their wont was + That oft and oft were they all yare for the war-tide, + Both at home and in hosting, were it one were it either, + And for every such tide as their liege lord unto + The need were befallen: right good was that folk. 1250 + + + + + XX. GRENDEL'S DAM BREAKS INTO HART + AND BEARS OFF AESCHERE. + + + So sank they to slumber; but one paid full sorely + For his rest of the even, as to them fell full often + Sithence that the gold-hall Grendel had guarded, + And won deed of unright, until that the end came + And death after sinning: but clear was it shown now, + Wide wotted of men, that e'en yet was a wreaker + Living after the loathly, a long while of time + After the battle-care, Grendel's own mother; + The woman, the monster-wife, minded her woe, + She who needs must in horror of waters be wonning, 1260 + The streams all a-cold, sithence Cain was become + For an edge-bane forsooth to his very own brother, + The own son of his father. Forth bann'd then he fared, + All marked by murder, from man's joy to flee, + And dwelt in the waste-land. Thence woke there a many + Ghosts shapen of old time, of whom one was Grendel, + The fierce wolf, the hateful, who found him at Hart + A man there a-watching, abiding the war-tide; + Where to him the fell ogre to hand-grips befell; + Howe'er he him minded of the strength of his might, 1270 + The great gift set fast in him given of God, + And trowed in grace by the All-wielder given, + His fostering, his staying; so the fiend he o'ercame + And bow'd down the Hell's ghost, that all humble he wended + Fordone of all mirth death's house to go look on, + That fiend of all mankind. But yet was his mother, + The greedy, the glum-moody, fain to be going + A sorrowful journey her son's death to wreak. + So came she to Hart whereas now the Ring-Danes + Were sleeping adown the hall; soon there befell 1280 + Change of days to the earl-folk, when in she came thrusting, + Grendel's mother: and soothly was minish'd the terror + By even so much as the craft-work of maidens, + The war-terror of wife, is beside the man weapon'd, + When the sword all hard bounden, by hammers to-beaten, + The sword all sweat-stain'd, through the swine o'er the war-helm + With edges full doughty down rightly sheareth. + But therewith in the hall was tugg'd out the hard edge, + The sword o'er the settles, and wide shields a many + Heaved fast in the hand: no one the helm heeded, 1290 + Nor the byrny wide-wrought, when the wild fear fell on them. + In haste was she then, and out would she thenceforth + For the saving her life, whenas she should be found there. + But one of the athelings she speedily handled + And caught up full fast, and fenward so fared. + But he was unto Hrothgar the liefest of heroes + Of the sort of the fellows; betwixt the two sea-floods + A mighty shield-warrior, whom she at rest brake up, + A war-wight well famed. There Beowulf was not; + Another house soothly had erewhile been dighted 1300 + After gift of that treasure to that great one of Geats. + Uprose cry then in Hart, all 'mid gore had she taken + The hand, the well-known, and now care wrought anew + In the wicks was arisen. Naught well was the bargain + That on both halves they needs must be buying that tide + With the life-days of friends. Then the lord king, the wise, + The hoary of war-folk, was harmed of mood + When his elder of thanes and he now unliving, + The dearest of all, he knew to be dead. + To the bower full swiftly was Beowulf brought now, 1310 + The man victory-dower'd; together with day-dawn + Went he, one of the earls, that champion beworthy'd, + Himself with his fellows, where the wise was abiding + To wot if the All-wielder ever will to him + After the tale of woe happy change work. + Then went down the floor he the war-worthy + With the host of his hand, while high dinn'd the hall-wood, + Till he there the wise one with words had well greeted, + The lord of the Ingwines, and ask'd had the night been. + Since sore he was summon'd, a night of sweet easement. 1320 + + + + + XXI. HROTHGAR LAMENTS THE SLAYING OF AESCHERE, + AND TELLS OF GRENDEL'S MOTHER AND HER DEN. + + + Spake out then Hrothgar the helm of the Scyldings: + Ask no more after bliss; for new-made now is sorrow + For the folk of the Danes; for Aeschere is dead, + He who was Yrmenlaf's elder of brethren, + My wise man of runes, my bearer of redes, + Mine own shoulder-fellow, when we in the war-tide + Warded our heads and the host on the host fell, + And the boars were a-crashing; e'en such should an earl be, + An atheling exceeding good, e'en as was Aeschere. + Now in Hart hath befallen for a hand-bane unto him 1330 + A slaughter-ghost wandering; naught wot I whither + The fell one, the carrion-proud, far'd hath her back-fare, + By her fill made all famous. That feud hath she wreaked + Wherein yesternight gone by Grendel thou quelledst + Through thy hardihood fierce with grips hard enow. + For that he over-long the lief people of me + Made to wane and undid. In the war then he cringed, + Being forfeit of life. But now came another, + An ill-scather mighty, her son to awreak; + And further hath she now the feud set on foot, 1340 + As may well be deemed of many a thane, + Who after the wealth-giver weepeth in mind, + A hard bale of heart. Now the hand lieth low + Which well-nigh for every joy once did avail you. + The dwellers in land here, my people indeed, + The wise-of-rede hall-folk, have I heard say e'en this: + That they have set eyes on two such-like erewhile, + Two mickle mark-striders the moorland a-holding, + Ghosts come from elsewhere, but of them one there was, + As full certainly might they then know it to be, 1350 + In the likeness of woman; and the other shap'd loathly + All after man's image trod the tracks of the exile, + Save that more was he shapen than any man other; + And in days gone away now they named him Grendel, + The dwellers in fold; they wot not if a father + Unto him was born ever in the days of erewhile + Of dark ghosts. They dwell in a dim hidden land, + The wolf-bents they bide in, on the nesses the windy, + The perilous fen-paths where the stream of the fell-side + Midst the mists of the nesses wends netherward ever, 1360 + The flood under earth. Naught far away hence, + But a mile-mark forsooth, there standeth the mere, + And over it ever hang groves all berimed, + The wood fast by the roots over-helmeth the water. + But each night may one a dread wonder there see, + A fire in the flood. But none liveth so wise + Of the bairns of mankind, that the bottom may know. + Although the heath-stepper beswinked by hounds, + The hart strong of horns, that holt-wood should seek to + Driven fleeing from far, he shall sooner leave life, 1370 + Leave life-breath on the bank, or ever will he + Therein hide his head. No hallow'd stead is it: + Thence the blending of water-waves ever upriseth + Wan up to the welkin, whenso the wind stirreth + Weather-storms loathly, until the lift darkens + And weepeth the heavens. Now along the rede wendeth + Of thee again only. Of that earth yet thou know'st not, + The fearful of steads, wherein thou mayst find + That much-sinning wight; seek then if thou dare, + And thee for that feud will I guerdon with fee, 1380 + The treasures of old time, as erst did I do, + With the gold all-bewounden, if away thence thou get thee. + + + + + XXII. THEY FOLLOW GRENDEL'S DAM TO HER LAIR. + + + Spake out then Beowulf the Ecgtheow's bairn: + O wise of men, mourn not; for to each man 'tis better + That his friend he awreak than weep overmuch. + Lo! each of us soothly abideth the ending + Of the life of the world. Then let him work who work may + High deeds ere the death: to the doughty of war-lads + When he is unliving shall it best be hereafter. + Rise up, warder of kingdom! and swiftly now wend we 1390 + The Grendel Kinswoman's late goings to look on; + And this I behote thee, that to holm shall she flee not, + Nor into earth's fathom, nor into the fell-holt, + Nor the grounds of the ocean, go whereas she will go. + For this one of days patience dree thou a while then + Of each one of thy woes, as I ween it of thee. + Then leapt up the old man, and lightly gave God thank, + That mighty of Lords, for the word which the man spake. + And for Hrothgar straightway then was bitted a horse, + A wave-maned steed: and the wise of the princes 1400 + Went stately his ways; and stepp'd out the man-troop, + The linden-board bearers. Now lightly the tracks were + All through the woodland ways wide to be seen there, + Her goings o'er ground; she had gotten her forthright + Over the mirk-moor: bore she of kindred thanes + The best that there was, all bare of his soul, + Of them that with Hrothgar heeded the home. + Overwent then that bairn of the athelings + Steep bents of the stones, and stridings full narrow, + Strait paths nothing pass'd over, ways all uncouth, 1410 + Sheer nesses to wit, many houses of nicors. + He one of the few was going before + Of the wise of the men the meadow to look on, + Until suddenly there the trees of the mountains + Over the hoar-stone found he a-leaning, + A wood without gladness: the water stood under + Dreary and troubled. Unto all the Danes was it, + To the friends of the Scyldings, most grievous in mood + To many of thanes such a thing to be tholing, + Sore evil to each one of earls, for of Aeschere 1420 + The head did they find e'en there on the holm-cliff; + The flood with gore welled (the folk looking on it), + With hot blood. But whiles then the horn fell to singing + A song of war eager. There sat down the band; + They saw down the water a many of worm-kind, + Sea-drakes seldom seen a-kenning the sound; + Likewise on the ness-bents nicors a-lying, + Who oft on the undern-tide wont are to hold them + A course full of sorrow all over the sail-road. + Now the worms and the wild-deer away did they speed 1430 + Bitter and wrath-swollen all as they heard it, + The war-horn a-wailing: but one the Geats' warden + With his bow of the shafts from his life-days there sunder'd, + From his strife of the waves; so that stood in his life-parts + The hard arrow of war; and he in the holm was + The slower in swimming as death away swept him. + So swiftly in sea-waves with boar-spears forsooth + Sharp-hook'd and hard-press'd was he thereupon, + Set on with fierce battle, and on to the ness tugg'd, + The wondrous wave-bearer; and men were beholding 1440 + The grisly guest, Beowulf therewith he gear'd him + With weed of the earls: nowise of life reck'd he: + Needs must his war-byrny, braided by hands, + Wide, many-colour'd by cunning, the sound seek, + E'en that which his bone-coffer knew how to ward, + So that the war-grip his heart ne'er a while, + The foe-snatch of the wrathful his life ne'er should scathe; + Therewith the white war-helm warded his head, + E'en that which should mingle with ground of the mere, + And seek the sound-welter, with treasure beworthy'd, 1450 + All girt with the lordly chains, as in days gone by + The weapon-smith wrought it most wondrously done, + Beset with the swine-shapes, so that sithence + The brand or the battle-blades never might bite it. + Nor forsooth was that littlest of all of his mainstays, + Which to him in his need lent the spokesman of Hrothgar, + E'en the battle-sword hafted that had to name Hrunting, + That in fore days was one of the treasures of old, + The edges of iron with the poison twigs o'er-stain'd, + With battle-sweat harden'd; in the brunt never fail'd he 1460 + Any one of the warriors whose hand wound about him, + Who in grisly wayfarings durst ever to wend him + To the folk-stead of foemen. Not the first of times was it + That battle-work doughty it had to be doing. + Forsooth naught remember'd that son there of Ecglaf, + The crafty in mighty deeds, what ere he quoth + All drunken with wine, when the weapon he lent + To a doughtier sword-wolf: himself naught he durst it + Under war of the waves there his life to adventure + And warrior-ship work. So forwent he the glory, 1470 + The fair fame of valour. Naught far'd so the other + Syth he to the war-tide had gear'd him to wend. + + + + + XXIII. BEOWULF REACHETH THE MERE-BOTTOM IN A DAY'S WHILE, + AND CONTENDS WITH GRENDEL'S DAM. + + + Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + Forsooth be thou mindful, O great son of Healfdene, + O praise of the princes, now way-fain am I, + O gold-friend of men, what we twain spake aforetime: + If to me for thy need it might so befall + That I cease from my life-days, thou shouldest be ever + To me, forth away wended, in the stead of a father. + Do thou then bear in hand these thanes of my kindred, 1480 + My hand-fellows, if so be battle shall have me; + Those same treasures withal, which thou gavest me erst, + O Hrothgar the lief, unto Hygelac send thou; + By that gold then shall wot the lord of the Geat-folk, + Shall Hrethel's son see, when he stares on the treasure, + That I in fair man-deeds a good one have found me, + A ring-giver; while I might, joy made I thereof. + And let thou then Unferth the ancient loom have, + The wave-sword adorned, that man kenned widely, + The blade of hard edges; for I now with Hrunting 1490 + Will work me the glory, or else shall death get me. + So after these words the Weder-Geats' chieftain + With might of heart hasten'd; nor for answer then would he + Aught tarry; the sea-welter straightway took hold on + The warrior of men: wore the while of a daytide + Or ever the ground-plain might he set eyes on. + Soon did she find, she who the flood-ring + Sword-ravening had held for an hundred of seasons, + Greedy and grim, that there one man of grooms + The abode of the alien-wights sought from above; 1500 + Then toward him she grasp'd and gat hold on the warrior + With fell clutch, but no sooner she scathed withinward + The hale body; rings from without-ward it warded, + That she could in no wise the war-skin clutch through, + The fast locked limb-sark, with fingers all loathly. + So bare then that sea-wolf when she came unto bottom + The king of the rings to the court-hall adown + In such wise that he might not, though hard-moody was he, + Be wielding of weapons. But a many of wonders + In sea-swimming swink'd him, and many a sea-deer 1510 + With his war-tusks was breaking his sark of the battle; + The fell wights him follow'd. 'Twas then the earl found it + That in foe-hall there was he, I wot not of which, + Where never the water might scathe him a whit, + Nor because of the roof-hall might reach to him there + The fear-grip of the flood. Now fire-light he saw, + The bleak beam forsooth all brightly a-shining. + Then the good one, he saw the wolf of the ground, + The mere-wife the mighty, and main onset made he + With his battle-bill; never his hand withheld sword-swing 1520 + So that there on her head sang the ring-sword forsooth + The song of war greedy. But then found the guest + That the beam of the battle would bite not therewith, + Or scathe life at all, but there failed the edge + The king in his need. It had ere thol'd a many + Of meetings of hand; oft it sheared the helm, + The host-rail of the fey one; and then was the first time + For that treasure dear lov'd that its might lay a-low. + But therewithal steadfast, naught sluggish of valour, + All mindful of high deeds was Hygelac's kinsman. 1530 + Cast then the wounden blade bound with the gem-stones + The warrior all angry, that it lay on the earth there, + Stiff-wrought and steel-edged. In strength now he trusted, + The hard hand-grip of might and main; so shall a man do + When he in the war-tide yet looketh to winning + The praise that is longsome, nor aught for life careth. + Then fast by the shoulder, of the feud nothing recking, + The lord of the War-Geats clutch'd Grendel's mother, + Cast down the battle-hard, bollen with anger, + That foe of the life, till she bow'd to the floor; 1540 + But swiftly to him gave she back the hand-guerdon + With hand-graspings grim, and griped against him; + Then mood-weary stumbled the strongest of warriors, + The foot-kemp, until that adown there he fell. + Then she sat on the hall-guest and tugg'd out her sax, + The broad and brown-edged, to wreak her her son, + Her offspring her own. But lay yet on his shoulder + The breast-net well braided, the berg of his life, + That 'gainst point and 'gainst edge the entrance withstood. + Gone amiss then forsooth had been Ecgtheow's son 1550 + Underneath the wide ground there, the kemp of the Geats, + Save to him his war-byrny had fram'd him a help, + The hard host-net; and save that the Lord God the Holy + Had wielded the war-gain, the Lord the All-wise; + Save that the skies' Ruler had rightwisely doom'd it + All easily. Sithence he stood up again. + + + + + XXIV. BEOWULF SLAYETH GRENDEL'S DAM, + SMITETH OFF GRENDEL'S HEAD, + AND COMETH BACK WITH HIS THANES TO HART. + + + Midst the war-gear he saw then a bill victory-wealthy, + An old sword of eotens full doughty of edges, + The worship of warriors. That was choice of all weapons, + Save that more was it made than any man other 1560 + In the battle-play ever might bear it afield, + So goodly, all glorious, the work of the giants. + Then the girdled hilt seiz'd he, the Wolf of the Scyldings, + The rough and the sword-grim, and drew forth the ring-sword, + Naught weening of life, and wrathful he smote then + So that there on her halse the hard edge begripped, + And brake through the bone-rings: the bill all through-waded + Her flesh-sheathing fey; cring'd she down on the floor; + The sword was war-sweaty, the man in his work joy'd. + The bright beam shone forth, the light stood withinward, 1570 + E'en as down from the heavens' clear high aloft shineth + The sky's candle. He all along the house scanned; + Then turn'd by the wall along, heav'd up his weapon + Hard by the hilts the Hygelac's thane there, + Ireful one-reded; naught worthless the edge was + Unto the warrior; but rathely now would he + To Grendel make payment of many war-onsets, + Of them that he wrought on the folk of the West Danes + Oftener by mickle than one time alone, + Whenas he the hearthfellows of Hrothgar the King 1580 + Slew in their slumber and fretted them sleeping, + Men fifteen to wit of the folk of the Danes, + And e'en such another deal ferry'd off outward, + Loathly prey. Now he paid him his guerdon therefor, + The fierce champion; so well, that abed there he saw + Where Grendel war-weary was lying adown + Forlorn of his life, as him ere had scathed + The battle at Hart; sprang wide the body, + Sithence after death he suffer'd the stroke, + The hard swing of sword. Then he smote the head off him. 1590 + Now soon were they seeing, those sage of the carles, + E'en they who with Hrothgar gaz'd down on the holm, + That the surge of the billows was blended about, + The sea stain'd with blood. Therewith the hoar-blended, + The old men, of the good one gat talking together + That they of the Atheling ween'd never eft-soon + That he, glad in his war-gain, should wend him a-seeking + The mighty king, since unto many it seemed + That him the mere-she-wolf had sunder'd and broken. + Came then nones of the day, and the ness there they gave up, 1600 + The Scyldings the brisk; and then busk'd him home thence-ward + The gold-friend of men. But the guests, there they sat + All sick of their mood, and star'd on the mere; + They wist not, they ween'd not if him their own friend-lord + Himself they should see. + Now that sword began + Because of the war-sweat into icicles war-made, + The war-bill, to wane: that was one of the wonders + That it melted away most like unto ice + When the bond of the frost the Father lets loosen, + Unwindeth the wave-ropes, e'en he that hath wielding 1610 + Of times and of seasons, who is the sooth Shaper. + In those wicks there he took not, the Weder-Geats' champion, + Of treasure-wealth more, though he saw there a many, + Than the off-smitten head and the sword-hilts together + With treasure made shifting; for the sword-blade was molten, + The sword broider'd was burn'd up, so hot was that blood, + So poisonous the alien ghost there that had died. + Now soon was a-swimming he who erst in the strife bode + The war-onset of wrath ones; he div'd up through the water; + And now were the wave-welters cleansed full well, 1620 + Yea the dwellings full wide, where the ghost of elsewhither + Let go of his life-days and the waning of living. + Came then unto land the helm of the ship-lads + Swimming stout-hearted, glad of his sea-spoil, + The burden so mighty of that which he bore there. + Yode then against him and gave thanks to God + That fair heap of thanes, and were fain of their lord, + For that hale and sound now they might see him with eyen; + Then was from the bold one the helm and the byrny + All speedily loosen'd. The lake now was laid, 1630 + The water 'neath welkin with war-gore bestained. + Forth then they far'd them alongst of the foot-tracks, + Men fain of heart all, as they meted the earth-way, + The street the well known; then those king-bold of men + Away from the holm-cliff the head there they bore + Uneasily ever to each one that bore it, + The full stout-heart of men: it was four of them needs must + On the stake of the slaughter with strong toil there ferry + Unto the gold-hall the head of that Grendel; + Until forthright in haste came into that hall, 1640 + Fierce, keen in the hosting, a fourteen of men + Of the Geat-folk a-ganging; and with them their lord, + The moody amidst of the throng, trod the mead-plains; + Came then in a-wending the foreman of thanes, + The man keen of his deeds all beworshipp'd of doom, + The hero, the battle-deer, Hrothgar to greet. + Then was by the fell borne in onto the floor + Grendel's head, whereas men were a-drinking in hall, + Aweful before the earls, yea and the woman. + The sight wondrous to see the warriors there look'd on. 1650 + + + + + XXV. CONVERSE OF HROTHGAR WITH BEOWULF. + + + Spake out then Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + What! we the sea-spoils here to thee, son of Healfdene, + High lord of the Scyldings, with lust have brought hither + For a token of glory, e'en these thou beholdest. + Now I all unsoftly with life I escaped, + In war under the water dar'd I the work + Full hard to be worked, and well-nigh there was + The sundering of strife, save that me God had shielded. + So it is that in battle naught might I with Hrunting + One whit do the work, though the weapon be doughty; 1660 + But to me then he granted, the Wielder of men, + That on wall I beheld there all beauteous hanging + An ancient sword, might-endow'd (often he leadeth right + The friendless of men); so forth drew I that weapon. + In that onset I slew there, as hap then appaid me, + The herd of the house; then that bill of the host, + The broider'd sword, burn'd up, and that blood sprang forth + The hottest of battle-sweats; but the hilts thereof thenceforth + From the foemen I ferry'd. I wreaked the foul deeds, + The death-quelling of Danes, e'en as duly behoved. 1670 + Now this I behote thee, that here in Hart mayst thou + Sleep sorrowless henceforth with the host of thy men + And the thanes every one that are of thy people + Of doughty and young; that for them need thou dread not, + O high lord of Scyldings, on that behalf soothly + Life-bale for the earls as erst thou hast done. + Then was the hilt golden to the ancient of warriors, + The hoary of host-leaders, into hand given, + The old work of giants; it turn'd to the owning, + After fall of the Devils, of the lord of the Danes, 1680 + That work of the wonder-smith, syth gave up the world + The fierce-hearted groom, the foeman of God, + The murder-beguilted, and there eke his mother; + Unto the wielding of world-kings it turned, + The best that there be betwixt of the sea-floods + Of them that in Scaney dealt out the scat. + Now spake out Hrothgar, as he look'd on the hilts there, + The old heir-loom whereon was writ the beginning + Of the strife of the old time, whenas the flood slew, + The ocean a-gushing, that kin of the giants 1690 + As fiercely they fared. That was a folk alien + To the Lord everlasting; so to them a last guerdon + Through the welling of waters the Wielder did give. + So was on the sword-guards all of the sheer gold + By dint of the rune-staves rightly bemarked, + Set down and said for whom first was that sword wrought, + And the choice of all irons erst had been done, + Wreath-hilted and worm-adorn'd. Then spake the wise one, + Healfdene's son, and all were gone silent: + Lo that may he say, who the right and the soothfast 1700 + Amid the folk frameth, and far back all remembers, + The old country's warden, that as for this earl here + Born better was he. Uprear'd is the fame-blast + Through wide ways far yonder, O Beowulf, friend mine, + Of thee o'er all peoples. Thou hold'st all with patience, + Thy might with mood-wisdom; I shall make thee my love good, + As we twain at first spake it. For a comfort thou shalt be + Granted long while and long unto thy people, + For a help unto heroes. Naught such became Heremod + To Ecgwela's offspring, the honourful Scyldings; 1710 + For their welfare naught wax'd he, but for felling in slaughter, + For the quelling of death to the folk of the Danes. + Mood-swollen he brake there his board-fellows soothly, + His shoulder-friends, until he sunder'd him lonely, + That mighty of princes, from the mirth of all men-folk. + Though him God the mighty in the joyance of might, + In main strength, exalted high over all-men, + And framed him forth, yet fast in his heart grew + A breast-hoard blood-fierce; none of fair rings he gave + To the Danes as due doom would. Unmerry he dured 1720 + So that yet of that strife the trouble he suffer'd. + A folk-bale so longsome. By such do thou learn thee, + Get thee hold of man-valour: this tale for thy teaching + Old in winters I tell thee. 'Tis wonder to say it, + How the high God almighty to the kindred of mankind + Through his mind the wide-fashion'd deals wisdom about, + Home and earlship; he owneth the wielding of all. + At whiles unto love he letteth to turn + The mood-thought of a man that Is mighty of kindred, + And in his land giveth him joyance of earth, 1730 + And to have and to hold the high ward-burg of men, + And sets so 'neath his wielding the deals of the world, + Dominion wide reaching, that he himself may not + In all his unwisdom of the ending bethink him. + He wonneth well-faring, nothing him wasteth + Sickness nor eld, nor the foe-sorrow to him + Dark in mind waxeth, nor strife any where, + The edge-hate, appeareth; but all the world for him + Wends as he willeth, and the worse naught he wotteth. + + + + + XXVI. MORE CONVERSE OF HROTHGAR AND BEOWULF: + THE GEATS MAKE THEM READY FOR DEPARTURE. + + + Until that within him a deal of o'erthink-ing 1740 + Waxeth and groweth while sleepeth the warder, + The soul's herdsman; that slumber too fast is forsooth, + Fast bounden by troubles, the banesman all nigh, + E'en he that from arrow-bow evilly shooteth. + Then he in his heart under helm is besmitten + With a bitter shaft; not a whit then may he ward him + From the wry wonder-biddings of the ghost the all-wicked. + Too little he deems that which long he hath hold. + Wrath-greedy he covets; nor e'en for boast-sake gives + The rings fair beplated; and the forth-coming doom 1750 + Forgetteth, forheedeth, for that God gave him erewhile, + The Wielder of glory, a deal of the worship. + At the ending-stave then it after befalleth + That the shell of his body sinks fleeting away, + And falleth all fey; and another one fetcheth, + E'en one that undolefully dealeth the treasure, + The earl's gains of aforetime, and fear never heedeth. + From the bale-envy ward thee, lief Beowulf, therefore, + Thou best of all men, and choose thee the better, + The redes everlasting; to o'erthinkirig turn not, 1760 + O mighty of champions! for now thy might breatheth + For a short while of time; but eft-soon it shall be + That sickness or edges from thy strength thee shall sunder, + Or the hold of the fire, or the welling of floods, + Or the grip of the sword-blade, or flight of the spear, + Or eld the all-evil: or the beaming of eyen + Shall fail and shall dim: then shall it be forthright + That thee, lordly man, the death over-masters. + E'en so I the Ring-Danes for an hundred of seasons + Did wield under the welkin and lock'd them by war 1770 + From many a kindred the Middle-Garth over + With ash-spears and edges, in such wise that not ever + Under the sky's run of my foemen I reckoned. + What! to me in my land came a shifting of that, + Came grief after game, sithence Grendel befell, + My foeman of old, mine ingoer soothly. + I from that onfall bore ever unceasing + Mickle mood-care; herefor be thanks to the Maker, + To the Lord everlasting, that in life I abided, + Yea, that I on that head all sword-gory there, 1780 + Now the old strife is over, with eyen should stare. + Go fare thou to settle, the feast-joyance dree thou, + O war-worshipp'd! unto us twain yet there will be + Mickle treasure in common when come is the morning. + Glad of mood then the Geat was, and speedy he gat him + To go see the settle, as the sage one commanded. + Then was after as erst, that they of the might-fame, + The floor-sitters, fairly the feasting bedight them + All newly. The helm of the night loured over + Dark over the host-men. Uprose all the doughty, 1790 + For he, the hoar-blended, would wend to his bed, + That old man of the Scyldings. The Geat without measure, + The mighty shield-warrior, now willed him rest. + And soon now the hall-thane him of way-faring weary, + From far away come, forth show'd him the road, + E'en he who for courtesy cared for all things + Of the needs of the thane, e'en such as on that day + The farers o'er ocean would fainly have had. + Rested then the wide-hearted; high up the house tower'd + Wide-gaping all gold-dight; within slept the guest; 1800 + Until the black raven, the blithe-hearted, boded + The heavens' joy: then was come thither a-hastening + The bright sun o'er the plains, and hastened the scathers, + The athelings once more aback to their people + All fain to be faring; and far away thence + Would the comer high-hearted go visit his keel. + Bade then the hard one Hrunting to bear, + The Ecglaf's son bade to take him his sword, + The iron well-lov'd; gave him thanks for the lending, + Quoth he that the war-friend for worthy he told, 1810 + Full of craft in the war; nor with word he aught + The edge of the sword. Hah! the high-hearted warrior. + So whenas all way-forward, yare in their war-gear, + Were the warriors, the dear one then went to the Danes, + To the high seat went the Atheling, whereas was the other; + The battle-bold warrior gave greeting to Hrothgar. + + + + + XXVII. BEOWULF BIDS HROTHGAR FAREWELL: + THE GEATS FARE TO SHIP. + + + Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + As now we sea-farers have will to be saying, + We from afar come, that now are we fainest + Of seeking to Hygelac. Here well erst were we 1820 + Serv'd as our wills would, and well thine avail was. + If I on the earth then, be it e'en but a little, + Of the love of thy mood may yet more be an-earning, + O lord of the men-folk, than heretofore might I, + Of the works of the battle yare then soon shall I be. + If I should be learning, I over the flood's run, + That the sitters about thee beset thee with dread, + Even thee hating as otherwhile did they; + Then thousands to theeward of thanes shall I bring + For the helping of heroes. Of Hygelac wot I, 1830 + The lord of the Geat-folk, though he be but a youngling, + That shepherd of folk, that me will he further + By words and by works, that well may I ward thee, + And unto thine helping the spear-holt may bear, + A main-staying mighty, whenas men thou art needing. + And if therewith Hrethric in the courts of the Geat-house, + The King's bairn, take hosting, then may he a many + Of friends find him soothly: far countries shall be + Better sought to by him who for himself is doughty. + Out then spake Hrothgar in answer to himward: 1840 + Thy word-saying soothly the Lord of all wisdom + Hath sent into thy mind; never heard I more sagely + In a life that so young was a man word be laying; + Strong of might and main art thou and sage of thy mood, + Wise the words of thy framing. Tell I this for a weening, + If it so come to pass that the spear yet shall take, + Or the battle all sword-grim, the son of that Hrethel, + Or sickness or iron thine Alderman have, + Thy shepherd of folk, and thou fast to life hold thee, + Then no better than thee may the Sea-Geats be having 1850 + To choose for themselves, no one of the kings, + Hoard-warden of heroes, if then thou wilt hold + Thy kinsman's own kingdom. Me liketh thy mood-heart, + The longer the better, O Beowulf the lief; + In such wise hast thou fared, that unto the folks now, + The folk of the Geats and the Gar-Danes withal, + In common shall peace be, and strife rest appeased + And the hatreds the doleful which erst they have dreed; + Shall become, whiles I wield it, this wide realm of ours, + Treasures common to either folk: many a one other 1860 + With good things shall greet o'er the bath of the gannet; + And the ring'd bark withal over sea shall be bringing + The gifts and love-tokens. The twain folks I know + Toward foeman toward friend fast-fashion'd together, + In every way blameless as in the old wise. + Then the refuge of warriors, he gave him withal, + Gave Healfdene's son of treasures yet twelve; + And he bade him with those gifts to go his own people + To seek in all soundness, and swiftly come back. + Then kissed the king, he of noble kin gotten, 1870 + The lord of the Scyldings, that best of the thanes, + By the halse then he took him; from him fell the tears + From the blended of hoar hair. Of both things was there hoping + To the old, the old wise one; yet most of the other, + To wit, that they sithence each each might be seeing, + The high-heart in council. To him so lief was he + That he his breast-welling might nowise forbear, + But there in his bosom, bound fast in his heart-bonds, + After that dear man a longing dim-hidden + Burn'd against blood-tie. So Beowulf thenceforth, 1880 + The gold-proud of warriors, trod the mould grassy, + Exulting in gold-store. The sea-ganger bided + Its owning-lord whereas at anchor it rode. + Then was there in going the gift of King Hrothgar + Oft highly accounted; yea, that was a king + In every wise blameless, till eld took from him eftsoon + The joyance of might, as it oft scathes a many. + + + + + XXVIII. BEOWULF COMES BACK TO HIS LAND. + OF THE TALE OF THRYTHO. + + + Came a many to flood then all mighty of mood, + Of the bachelors were they, and ring-nets they bore, + The limb-sarks belocked. The land-warden noted 1890 + The earls' aback-faring, as erst he beheld them; + Then nowise with harm from the nose of the cliff + The guests there he greeted, but rode unto themward, + And quoth that full welcome to the folk of the Weders + The bright-coated warriors were wending to ship. + Then was on the sand there the bark the wide-sided + With war-weed beladen, the ring-stemm'd as she lay there + With mares and with treasure; uptower'd the mast + High over Hrothgar's wealth of the hoards. + He then to the boat-warden handsel'd a gold-bounden 1900 + Sword, so that sithence was he on mead-bench + Worthy'd the more for that very same wealth, + The heirloom. Sithence in the ship he departed + To stir the deep water; the Dane-land he left. + Then was by the mast there one of the sea-rails, + A sail, with rope made fast; thunder'd the sound-wood. + Not there the wave-floater did the wind o'er the billows + Waft off from its ways; the sea-wender fared, + Floated the foamy-neck'd forth o'er the waves, + The bounden-stemm'd over the streams of the sea; 1910 + Till the cliffs of the Geats there they gat them to wit, + The nesses well kenned. Throng'd up the keel then + Driven hard by the lift, and stood on the land. + Then speedy at holm was the hythe-warden yare, + E'en he who a long while after the lief men + Eager at stream's side far off had looked. + To the sand thereon bound he the wide-fathom'd ship + With anchor-bands fast, lest from them the waves' might + The wood that was winsome should drive thence awayward. + Thereon bade he upbear the athelings' treasures, 1920 + The fretwork and wrought gold. Not far from them thenceforth + To seek to the giver of treasures it was, + E'en Hygelac, Hrethel's son, where at home wonneth + Himself and his fellows hard by the sea-wall. + Brave was the builded house, bold king the lord was, + High were the walls, Hygd very young, + Wise and well-thriven, though few of winters + Under the burg-locks had she abided, + The daughter of Haereth; naught was she dastard; + Nowise niggard of gifts to the folk of the Geats, 1930 + Of wealth of the treasures. But wrath Thrytho bore, + The folk-queen the fierce, wrought the crime-deed full fearful. + No one there durst it, the bold one, to dare, + Of the comrades beloved, save only her lord, + That on her by day with eyen he stare, + But if to him death-bonds predestin'd he count on, + Hand-wreathed; thereafter all rathely it was + After the hand-grip the sword-blade appointed, + That the cunning-wrought sword should show forth the deed, + Make known the murder-bale. Naught is such queenlike 1940 + For a woman to handle, though peerless she be, + That a weaver of peace the life should waylay, + For a shame that was lying, of a lief man of men; + But the kinsman of Hemming, he hinder'd it surely. + Yet the drinkers of ale otherwise said they; + That folk-bales, which were lesser, she framed forsooth, + Lesser enmity-malice, since thence erst she was + Given gold-deck'd to the young one of champions, + She the dear of her lineage, since Offa's floor + Over the fallow flood by the lore of her father 1950 + She sought in her wayfaring. Well was she sithence + There on the man-throne mighty with good; + Her shaping of life well brooked she living; + High love she held toward the lord of the heroes; + Of all kindred of men by the hearsay of me + The best of all was he the twain seas beside, + Of the measureless kindred; thereof Offa was + For gifts and for war, the spear-keen of men, + Full widely beworthy'd, with wisdom he held + The land of his heritage. Thence awoke Eomaer 1960 + For a help unto heroes, the kinsman of Hemming, + The grandson of Garmund, the crafty in war-strife. + + + + + XXIX. BEOWULF TELLS HYGELAC OF HROTHGAR: + ALSO OF FREAWARU HIS DAUGHTER. + + + Went his ways then the hard one, and he with his hand-shoal, + Himself over the sand the sea-plain a-treading, + The warths wide away; shone the world's candle, + The sun slop'd from the southward; so dreed they their journey, + And went their ways stoutly unto where the earls' refuge, + The banesman of Ongentheow all in his burgs there, + The young king of war, the good, as they heard it. + Was dealing the rings. Aright unto Hygelac 1970 + Was Beowulf's speeding made knowen full swiftly, + That there into the house-place that hedge of the warriors, + His mate of the linden-board, living was come, + Hale from the battle-play home to him houseward. + Then rathe was beroomed, as the rich one was bidding, + For the guests a-foot going the floor all withinward. + Then sat in the face of him he from the fight sav'd, + Kinsman by kinsman, whenas his man-lord + In fair-sounding speech had greeted the faithful + With mightyful words. With mead-skinking turned 1980 + Through the high house adown the daughter of Haereth: + The people she loved: the wine-bucket bare she + To the hands of the men. But now fell to Hygelac + His very house-fellow in that hall the high + To question full fairly, for wit-lust to-brake him, + Of what like were the journeys the Sea-Geats had wended: + How befell you the sea-lode, O Beowulf lief, + When thou on a sudden bethoughtst thee afar + Over the salt water the strife to be seeking, + The battle in Hart? or for Hrothgar forsooth 1990 + The wide-kenned woe some whit didst thou mend, + For that mighty of lords? I therefore the mood-care + In woe-wellings seethed; trow'd not in the wending + Of thee the lief man. A long while did I pray thee + That thou the death-guest there should greet not a whit; + Wouldst let those same South-Danes their own selves to settle + The war-tide with Grendel. Now to God say I thank + That thee, and thee sound, now may I see. + Out then spake Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + All undark it is, O Hygelac lord, 2000 + That meeting the mighty, to a many of men; + Of what like was the meeting of Grendel and me + On that field of the deed, where he many a deal + For the Victory-Scyldings of sorrow had framed, + And misery for ever; but all that I awreaked, + So that needeth not boast any kinsman of Grendel + Any one upon earth of that uproar of dawn-dusk, + Nay not who lives longest of that kindred the loathly + Encompass'd of fenland. Thither first did I come + Unto that ring-hall Hrothgar to greet; 2010 + Soon unto me the great Healfdene's son, + So soon as my heart he was wotting forsooth. + Right against his own son a settle there showed. + All that throng was in joy, nor life-long saw I ever + Under vault of the heavens amidst any hall-sitters + More mirth of the mead. There the mighty Queen whiles, + Peace-sib of the folk, went all over the floor, + To the young sons bade heart up; oft she there the ring-wreath + Gave unto a man ere to settle she wended. + At whiles fore the doughty the daughter of Hrothgar 2020 + To the earls at the end the ale-bucket bore; + E'en she whom Freawaru the floor-sitters thereat + Heard I to name; where she the nail'd treasure + Gave to the warriors. She was behight then + Youngling and gold-dight to the glad son of Froda. + This hath seemed fair to the friend of the Scyldings, + The herd of the realm, and good rede he accounts it, + That he with that wife of death-feuds a deal + And of strifes should allay. Oft unseldom eachwhere + After a lord's fall e'en but for a little 2030 + Bows down the bane-spear, though doughty the bride be. + + + + + XXX. BEOWULF FOREBODES ILL FROM THE WEDDING OF FREAWARU: + HE TELLS OF GRENDEL AND HIS DAM. + + + Ill-liking this may be to the lord of the Heathobards, + And to each of the thanes of that same people. + When he with fair bride on the floor of hall wendeth, + That the Dane's noble bairn his doughty should wait on, + As on him glisten there the heirlooms of the aged, + Hard and with rings bedight, Heathobards' treasure, + Whileas the weapons yet they might wield; + Till astray did they lead there at the lind-play + Their own fellows belov'd and their very own lives. 2040 + For then saith at the beer, he who seeth the ring, + An ancient ash-warrior who mindeth of all + The spear-death of men; grim is he of mind; + Sad of mood he beginneth to tell the young champion. + Through the thought of his heart his mind there to try, + The war-bale to waken, and sayeth this word: + Mayest thou, friend mine, wot of the war-sword, + That which thy father bore in the fight + Under the war-mask e'en on the last time, + That the dear iron, whereas the Danes slew him, 2050 + Wielded the death-field, since Withergyld lay, + After fall of the heroes, the keen-hearted Scyldings? + Now here of those banesmen the son, whoseso he be, + All merry in fretwork forth on floor fareth; + Of the murder he boasteth, and that jewel he beareth, + E'en that which of right thou shouldest arede. + Thus he mindeth and maketh word every of times, + With sore words he telleth, until the time cometh + That the thane of the fair bride for the deeds of his father + After bite of the bill sleepeth all blood-stain'd, 2060 + All forfeit of life; but thenceforth the other + Escapeth alive; the land well he kenneth; + Then will be broken on both sides forsooth + The oath-swearing of earls, whenas unto Ingeld + Well up the death-hatreds, and the wife-loves of him + Because of the care-wellings cooler become. + Therefore the Heathobards' faith I account not, + Their deal of the folk-peace, unguileful to Danes, + Their fast-bounden friendship. Henceforth must I speak on + Again about Grendel, that thou get well to know it, 2070 + O treasure-out-dealer, how sithence betided + The hand-race of heroes: sithence heaven's gem + All over the grounds glided, came the wroth guest, + The dire night-angry one us to go look on, + Whereas we all sound were warding the hall. + There then for Handshoe was battle abiding, + Life-bale to the fey; he first lay alow, + The war-champion girded; unto him became Grendel, + To the great thane of kindreds, a banesman of mouth, + Of the man well-beloved the body he swallow'd; 2080 + Nor the sooner therefor out empty-handed + The bloody-tooth'd banesman, of bales all bemindful, + Out from that gold-hall yet would he get him; + But he, mighty of main, made trial of me, + And gripp'd ready-handed. His glove hung aloft, + Wondrous and wide, in wily bands fast, + With cunning wiles was it begeared forsooth, + With crafts of the devils and fells of the dragons; + He me withinwards there, me the unsinning, + The doer of big deeds would do me to be 2090 + As one of the many; but naught so it might be, + Sithence in mine anger upright I stood. + 'Tis over-long telling how I to the folkscather + For each one of evils out paid the hand-gild. + There I, O my lord king, them thy leal people + Worthy'd with works: but away he gat loosed + Out thence for a little while, brooked yet life-joys; + But his right hand held ward of his track howsoever, + High upon Hart-hall, and thence away humble + He sad of his mood to the mere-ground fell downward. 2100 + Me for that slaughter-race the friend of the Scyldings + With gold that beplated was mickle deal paid, + With a many of treasures, sithence came the morning, + And we to the feast-tide had sat us adown; + Song was and glee there; the elder of Scyldings, + Asking of many things, told of things o'erpast; + Whiles hath the battle-deer there the harp's joy, + The wood of mirth greeted; whiles the lay said he + Soothfast and sorrowful; whiles a spell seldom told + Told he by right, the king roomy-hearted; 2110 + Whiles began afterward he by eld bounden, + The aged hoar warrior, of his youth to bewail him, + Its might of the battle; his breast well'd within him, + When he, wont in winters, of many now minded. + So we there withinward the livelong day's wearing + Took pleasure amongst us, till came upon men + Another of nights; then eftsoons again + Was yare for the harm-wreak the mother of Grendel: + All sorry she wended, for her son death had taken, + The war-hate of the Weders: that monster of women 2120 + Awreaked her bairn, and quelled a warrior + In manner all mighty. Then was there from Aeschere, + The wise man of old, life waning away; + Nor him might they even when come was the morning, + That death-weary wight, the folk of the Danes + Burn up with the brand, nor lade on the bale + The man well-belov'd, for his body she bare off + In her fathom the fiendly all under the fell-stream. + That was unto Hrothgar of sorrows the heaviest + Of them which the folk-chieftain long had befallen. 2130 + Then me did the lord king, and e'en by thy life, + Mood-heavy beseech me that I in the holm-throng + Should do after earlship, my life to adventure, + And frame me main-greatness, and meed he behight me. + Then I of the welling flood, which is well kenned, + The grim and the grisly ground-herder did find. + There to us for a while was the blending of hands; + The holm welled with gore, and the head I becarved + In that hall of the ground from the Mother of Grendel + With the all-eked edges; unsoftly out thence 2140 + My life forth I ferry'd, for not yet was I fey. + But the earls' burg to me was giving thereafter + Much sort of the treasures, e'en Healfdene's son. + + + + + XXXI. BEOWULF GIVES HROTHGAR'S GIFTS TO HYGELAC, + AND BY HIM IS REWARDED. + OF THE DEATH OF HYGELAC AND OF HEARDRED HIS SON, + AND HOW BEOWULF IS KING OF THE GEATS: + THE WORM IS FIRST TOLD OF. + + + So therewith the folk-king far'd, living full seemly; + By those wages forsooth ne'er a whit had I lost, + By the meed of my main, but to me treasure gave he, + The Healfdene's son, to the doom of myself; + Which to thee, king of bold ones, will I be a-bringing, + And gladly will give thee; for of thee is all gotten + Of favours along, and but little have I 2150 + Of head-kinsmen forsooth, saving, Hygelac, thee. + Then he bade them bear in the boar-shape, the head-sign, + The battle-steep war-helm, the byrny all hoary, + The sword stately-good, and spell after he said: + This raiment of war Hrothgar gave to my hand, + The wise of the kings, and therewithal bade me, + That I first of all of his favour should flit thee; + He quoth that first had it King Heorogar of old, + The king of the Scyldings, a long while of time; + But no sooner would he give it unto his son, 2160 + Heoroward the well-whet, though kind to him were he, + This weed of the breast. Do thou brook it full well. + On these fretworks, so heard I, four horses therewith, + All alike, close followed after the track, + Steeds apple-fallow. Fair grace he gave him + Of horses and treasures. E'en thus shall do kinsman, + And nowise a wile-net shall weave for another + With craft of the darkness, or do unto death + His very hand-fellow. But now unto Hygelac + The bold in the battle was his nephew full faithful, 2170 + And either to other of good deeds was mindful. + I heard that the neck-ring to Hygd did he give, + E'en the wonder-gem well-wrought, that Wealh-theow gave him, + The king's daughter; gave he three steeds therewithal + Slender, and saddle-bright; sithence to her was, + After the ring-gift, the breast well beworthy'd. + Thus boldly he bore him, the Ecgtheow's bairn, + The groom kenned in battle, in good deeds a-doing; + After due doom he did, and ne'er slew he the drunken + Hearth-fellows of him: naught rough was his heart; 2180 + But of all men of mankind with the greatest of might + The gift fully and fast set, which had God to him given, + That war-deer did hold. Long was he contemned, + While the bairns of the Geats naught told him for good, + Nor him on the mead-bench worthy of mickle + The lord of the war-hosts would be a-making. + Weened they strongly that he were but slack then, + An atheling unkeen; then came about change + To the fame-happy man for every foul harm. + Bade then the earls' burg in to be bringing, 2190 + The king battle-famed, the leaving of Hrethel, + All geared with gold; was not 'mid the Geats then + A treasure-gem better of them of the sword-kind, + That which then on Beowulf's harm there he laid; + And gave to him there seven thousand in gift, + A built house and king-stool; to both them together + Was in that folkship land that was kindly, + Father-right, home; to the other one rather + A wide realm, to him who was there the better. + But thereafter it went so in days later worn 2200 + Through the din of the battle, sithence Hygelac lay low + And unto Heardred swords of the battle + Under the war-board were for a bane; + When fell on him midst of this victory-folk + The hard battle-wolves, the Scyldings of war, + And by war overwhelmed the nephew of Hereric; + That sithence unto Beowulf turned the broad realm + All into his hand. Well then did he hold it + For a fifty of winters; then was he an old king, + An old fatherland's warder; until one began 2210 + Through the dark of the night-tide, a drake, to hold sway. + In a howe high aloft watched over an hoard, + A stone-burg full steep; thereunder a path sty'd + Unknown unto men, and therewithin wended + Who of men do I know not; for his lust there took he, + From the hoard of the heathen his hand took away + A hall-bowl gem-flecked, nowise back did he give it + Though the herd of the hoard him sleeping beguil'd he + With thief-craft; and this then found out the king, + The best of folk-heroes, that wrath-bollen was he. 2220 + + + + + XXXII. HOW THE WORM CAME TO THE HOWE, + AND HOW HE WAS ROBBED OF A CUP; + AND HOW HE FELL ON THE FOLK. + + + Not at all with self-wielding the craft of the worm-hoards + He sought of his own will, who sore himself harmed; + But for threat of oppression a thrall, of I wot not + Which bairn of mankind, from blows wrathful fled, + House-needy forsooth, and hied him therein, + A man by guilt troubled. Then soon it betided + That therein to the guest there stood grisly terror; + However the wretched, of every hope waning + * * * * * + The ill-shapen wight, whenas the fear gat him, + The treasure-vat saw; of such there was a many 2230 + Up in that earth-house of treasures of old, + As them in the yore-days, though what man I know not, + The huge leavings and loom of a kindred of high ones, + Well thinking of thoughts there had hidden away. + Dear treasures. But all them had death borne away + In the times of erewhile; and the one at the last + Of the doughty of that folk that there longest lived, + There waxed he friend-sad, yet ween'd he to tarry, + That he for a little those treasures the longsome + Might brook for himself. But a burg now all ready 2240 + Wonn'd on the plain nigh the waves of the water, + New by a ness, by narrow-crafts fasten'd; + Within there then bare of the treasures of earls + That herd of the rings a deal hard to carry, + Of gold fair beplated, and few words he quoth: + Hold thou, O earth, now, since heroes may hold not, + The owning of earls. What! it erst within thee + Good men did get to them; now war-death hath gotten, + Life-bale the fearful, each man and every + Of my folk; e'en of them who forwent the life: 2250 + The hall-joy had they seen. No man to wear sword + I own, none to brighten the beaker beplated, + The dear drink-vat; the doughty have sought to else-whither. + Now shall the hard war-helm bedight with the gold + Be bereft of its plating; its polishers sleep, + They that the battle-mask erewhile should burnish: + Likewise the war-byrny, which abode in the battle + O'er break of the war-boards the bite of the irons, + Crumbles after the warrior; nor may the ring'd byrny + After the war-leader fare wide afield 2260 + On behalf of the heroes: nor joy of the harp is, + No game of the glee-wood; no goodly hawk now + Through the hall swingeth; no more the swift horse + Beateth the burg-stead. Now hath bale-quelling + A many of life-kin forth away sent. + Suchwise sad-moody moaned in sorrow + One after all, unblithely bemoaning + By day and by night, till the welling of death + Touch'd at his heart. The old twilight-scather + Found the hoard's joyance standing all open, 2270 + E'en he that, burning, seeketh to burgs, + The evil drake, naked, that flieth a night-tide, + With fire encompass'd; of him the earth-dwellers + Are strongly adrad; wont is he to seek to + The hoard in the earth, where he the gold heathen + Winter-old wardeth; nor a whit him it betters. + So then the folk-scather for three hundred winters + Held in the earth a one of hoard-houses + All-eked of craft, until him there anger'd + A man in his mood, who bare to his man-lord 2280 + A beaker beplated, and bade him peace-warding + Of his lord: then was lightly the hoard searched over, + And the ring-hoard off borne; and the boon it was granted + To that wretched-wrought man. There then the lord saw + That work of men foregone the first time of times. + Then awaken'd the Worm, and anew the strife was; + Along the stone stank he, the stout-hearted found + The foot-track of the foe; he had stept forth o'er-far + With dark craft, over-nigh to the head of the drake. + So may the man unfey full easily outlive 2290 + The woe and the wrack-journey, he whom the Wielder's + Own grace is holding. Now sought the hoard-warden + Eager over the ground; for the groom he would find + Who unto him sleeping had wrought out the sore: + Hot and rough-moody oft he turn'd round the howe + All on the outward; but never was any man + On the waste; but however in war he rejoiced, + In battle-work. Whiles he turn'd back to his howe + And sought to his treasure-vat; soon he found this, + That one of the grooms had proven the gold, 2300 + The high treasures; then the hoard-warden abided, + But hardly forsooth, until come was the even, + And all anger-bollen was then the burg-warden, + And full much would the loath one with the fire-flame pay back + For his drink-vat the dear. Then day was departed + E'en at will to the Worm, and within wall no longer + Would he bide, but awayward with burning he fared, + All dight with the fire: it was fearful beginning + To the folk in the land, and all swiftly it fell 2310 + On their giver of treasure full grievously ended. + + + + + XXXIII. THE WORM BURNS BEOWULF'S HOUSE, + AND BEOWULF GETS READY TO GO AGAINST HIM. + BEOWULF'S EARLY DEEDS IN BATTLE WITH THE HETWARE TOLD OF. + + + Began then the guest to spew forth of gleeds, + The bright dwellings to burn; stood the beam of the burning + For a mischief to menfolk; now nothing that quick was + The loathly lift-flier would leave there forsooth; + The war of the Worm was wide to be seen there, + The narrowing foe's hatred anigh and afar, + How he, the fight-scather, the folk of the Geats + Hated and harm'd; shot he back to the hoard, + His dark lordly hall, ere yet was the day's while; + The land-dwellers had he in the light low encompass'd 2320 + With bale and with brand; in his burg yet he trusted, + His war-might and his wall: but his weening bewray'd him. + Then Beowulf was done to wit of the terror + Full swiftly forsooth, that the house of himself, + Best of buildings, was molten in wellings of fire, + The gift-stool of the Geats. To the good one was that + A grief unto heart; of mind-sorrows the greatest. + Weened the wise one, that Him, e'en the Wielder, + The Lord everlasting, against the old rights + He had bitterly anger'd; the breast boil'd within him 2330 + With dark thoughts, that to him were naught duly wonted. + Now had the fire-drake the own fastness of folk, + The water-land outward, that ward of the earth, + With gleeds to ground wasted; so therefore the war-king, + The lord of the Weder-folk, learned him vengeance. + Then he bade be work'd for him, that fence of the warriors, + And that all of iron, the lord of the earls, + A war-board all glorious, for wissed he yarely + That the holt-wood hereto might help him no whit, + The linden 'gainst fire-flame. Of fleeting days now 2340 + The Atheling exceeding good end should abide, + The end of the world's life, and the Worm with him also, + Though long he had holden the weal of the hoard. + Forsooth scorned then the lord of the rings + That he that wide-flier with war-band should seek, + With a wide host; he fear'd not that war for himself, + Nor for himself the Worm's war accounted one whit, + His might and his valour, for that he erst a many + Strait-daring of battles had bided, and liv'd, + Clashings huge of the battle, sithence he of Hrothgar, 2350 + He, the man victory-happy, had cleansed the hall, + And in war-tide had gripped the kindred of Grendel, + The loathly of kindreds; nor was that the least + Of hand-meetings, wherein erst was Hygelac slain, + Sithence the Geats' king in the onrush of battle, + The lord-friend of the folks, down away in the Frieslands, + The offspring of Hrethel, died, drunken of sword-drinks, + All beaten of bill. Thence Beowulf came forth + By his own craft forsooth, dreed the work of the swimming; + He had on his arm, he all alone, thirty 2360 + Of war-gears, when he to the holm went adown. + Then nowise the Hetware needed to joy them + Over the foot-war, wherein forth against him + They bore the war-linden: few went back again + From that wolf of the battle to wend to their homes. + O'erswam then the waters' round Ecgtheow's son, + Came all wretched and byrd-alone back to his people, + Whereas offer'd him Hygd then the kingdom and hoard, + The rings and the king-stool: trowed naught in the child, + That he 'gainst folks outland the fatherland-seats 2370 + Might can how to hold, now was Hygelac dead: + Yet no sooner therefor might the poor folk prevail + To gain from the Atheling in any of ways + That he unto Heardred would be for a lord, + Or eke that that kingdom henceforward should choose; + Yet him midst of the folk with friend-lore he held, + All kindly with honour till older he waxed + And wielded the Weder-Geats. To him men-waifs thereafter + Sought from over the sea, the sons they of Ohthere, + For they erst had withstood the helm of the Scylfings, 2380 + E'en him that was best of the kings of the sea, + Of them that in Swede-realm dealt out the treasure, + The mighty of princes. Unto him 'twas a life-mark; + To him without food there was fated the life-wound, + That Hygelac's son, by the swinging of swords; + And him back departed Ongentheow's bairn, + To go seek to his house, sithence Heardred lay dead, + And let Beowulf hold the high seat of the king + And wield there the Geats. Yea, good was that king. + + + + + XXXIV. BEOWULF GOES AGAINST THE WORM. + HE TELLS OF HEREBEALD AND HAETHCYN. + + + Of that fall of the folk-king he minded the payment 2390 + In days that came after: unto Eadgils he was + A friend to him wretched; with folk he upheld him + Over the wide sea, that same son of Ohthere, + With warriors and weapons. Sithence had he wreaking + With cold journeys of care: from the king took he life. + Now each one of hates thus had he outlived, + And of perilous slaughters, that Ecgtheow's son, + All works that be doughty, until that one day + When he with the Worm should wend him to deal. + So twelvesome he set forth all swollen with anger, 2400 + The lord of the Geats, the drake to go look on. + Aright had he learnt then whence risen the feud was, + The bale-hate against men-folk: to his barm then had come + The treasure-vat famous by the hand of the finder; + He was in that troop of men the thirteenth + Who the first of that battle had set upon foot, + The thrall, the sad-minded; in shame must he thenceforth + Wise the way to the plain; and against his will went he + Thereunto, where the earth-hall the one there he wist, + The howe under earth anigh the holm's welling, 2410 + The wave-strife: there was it now full all within + With gems and with wires; the monster, the warden, + The yare war-wolf, he held him therein the hoard golden, + The old under the earth: it was no easy cheaping + To go and to gain for any of grooms. + Sat then on the ness there the strife-hardy king + While farewell he bade to his fellows of hearth, + The gold-friend of the Geats; sad was gotten his soul, + Wavering, death-minded; weird nigh beyond measure, + Which him old of years gotten now needs must be greeting, 2420 + Must seek his soul's hoard and asunder must deal + His life from his body: no long while now was + The life of the Atheling in flesh all bewounden. + Now spake out Beowulf, Ecgtheow's bairn: + Many a one in my youth of war-onsets I outliv'd, + And the whiles of the battle: all that I remember. + Seven winters had I when the wielder of treasures, + The lord-friend of folk, from my father me took, + Held me and had me Hrethel the king, + Gave me treasure and feast, and remember'd the friendship. 2430 + For life thence I was not to him a whit loather, + A berne in his burgs than his bairns were, or each one, + Herebeald, or Haethcyn, or Hygelac mine. + For the eldest there was in unseemly wise + By the mere deed of kinsman a murder-bed strawen, + Whenas him did Haethcyn from out of his horn-bow, + His lord and his friend, with shaft lay alow: + His mark he miss'd shooting, and shot down his kinsman, + One brother another with shaft all bebloody'd; + That was fight feeless by fearful crime sinned, 2440 + Soul-weary to heart, yet natheless then had + The atheling from life all unwreak'd to be ceasing. + So sad-like it is for a carle that is aged + To be biding the while that his boy shall be riding + Yet young on the gallows; then a lay should he utter, + A sorrowful song whenas hangeth his son + A gain unto ravens, and naught good of avail + May he, old and exceeding old, anywise frame. + Ever will he be minded on every each morning + Of his son's faring otherwhere; nothing he heedeth 2450 + Of abiding another withinward his burgs, + An heritage-warder, then whenas the one + By the very death's need hath found out the ill. + Sorrow-careful he seeth within his son's bower + The waste wine-hall, the resting-place now of the winds, + All bereft of the revel; the riders are sleeping, + The heroes in grave, and no voice of the harp is, + No game in the garths such as erewhile was gotten. + + + + + XXXV. BEOWULF TELLS OF PAST FEUDS, + AND BIDS FAREWELL TO HIS FELLOWS: + HE FALLS ON THE WORM, AND THE BATTLE OF THEM BEGINS. + + + Then to sleeping-stead wendeth he, singeth he sorrow, + The one for the other; o'er-roomy all seem'd him 2460 + The meads and the wick-stead. So the helm of the Weders + For Herebeald's sake the sorrow of heart + All welling yet bore, and in nowise might he + On the banesman of that life the feud be a-booting; + Nor ever the sooner that warrior might hate + With deeds loathly, though he to him nothing was lief. + He then with the sorrow wherewith that sore beset him + Man's joy-tide gave up, and chose him God's light. + To his offspring he left, e'en as wealthy man doeth, + His land and his folk-burgs when he from life wended. 2470 + Then sin was and striving of Swedes and of Geats, + Over the wide water war-tide in common, + The hard horde-hate to wit sithence Hrethel perish'd; + And to them ever were the Ongentheow's sons + Doughty and host-whetting, nowise then would friendship + Hold over the waters; but round about Hreosnaburgh + The fierce fray of foeman was oftentimes fram'd. + Kin of friends that mine were, there they awreaked + The feud and the evil deed, e'en as was famed; + Although he, the other, with his own life he bought it, 2480 + A cheaping full hard: unto Haethcyn it was, + To the lord of the Geat-folk, a life-fateful war. + Learned I that the morrow one brother the other + With the bills' edges wreaked the death on the banesman, + Whereas Ongentheow is a-seeking of Eofor: + Glode the war-helm asunder, the aged of Scylfings + Fell, sword-bleak; e'en so remember'd the hand + Feud enough; nor e'en then did the life-stroke withhold. + I to him for the treasure which erewhile he gave me + Repaid it in warring, as was to me granted, 2490 + With my light-gleaming sword. To me gave he land, + The hearth and the home-bliss: unto him was no need + That unto the Gifthas or unto the Spear-Danes + Or into the Swede-realm he needs must go seeking + A worse wolf of war for a worth to be cheaping; + For in the host ever would I be before him + Alone in the fore-front, and so life-long shall I + Be a-framing of strife, whileas tholeth the sword, + Which early and late hath bestead me full often, + Sithence was I by doughtiness unto Day-raven 2500 + The hand-bane erst waxen, to the champion of Hug-folk; + He nowise the fretwork to the king of the Frisians, + The breast-worship to wit, might bring any more, + But cringed in battle that herd of the banner, + The Atheling in might: the edge naught was his bane, + But for him did the war-grip the heart-wellings of him + Break, the house of the bones. Now shall the bill's edge, + The hand and hard sword, about the hoard battle. + So word uttered Beowulf, spake out the boast word + For the last while as now: Many wars dared I 2510 + In the days of my youth, and now will I yet, + The old warder of folk, seek to the feud, + Full gloriously frame, if the scather of foul-deed + From the hall of the earth me out shall be seeking. + Greeted he then each one of the grooms, + The keen wearers of helms, for the last while of whiles, + His own fellows the dear: No sword would I fare with, + No weapon against the Worm, wist I but how + 'Gainst the monster of evil in otherwise might I + Uphold me my boast, as erst did I with Grendel; 2520 + But there fire of the war-tide full hot do I ween me, + And the breath, and the venom; I shall bear on me therefore + Both the board and the byrny; nor the burg's warden shall I + Overflee for a foot's-breadth, but unto us twain + It shall be at the wall as to us twain Weird willeth, + The Maker of each man. Of mood am I eager; + So that 'gainst that war-flier from boast I withhold me. + Abide ye upon burg with your byrnies bewarded, + Ye men in your battle-gear, which may the better + After the slaughter-race save us from wounding 2530 + Of the twain of us. Naught is it yours to take over, + Nor the measure of any man save alone me, + That he on the monster should mete out his might, + Or work out the earlship: but I with my main might + Shall gain me the gold, or else gets me the battle, + The perilous life-bale, e'en me your own lord. + Arose then by war-round the warrior renowned + Hard under helm, and the sword-sark he bare + Under the stone-cliffs: in the strength then he trowed + Of one man alone; no dastard's way such is. 2540 + Then he saw by the wall (e'en he, who so many, + The good of man-bounties, of battles had out-liv'd, + Of crashes of battle whenas hosts were blended) + A stone-bow a-standing, and from out thence a stream + Breaking forth from the burg; was that burn's outwelling + All hot with the war-fire; and none nigh to the hoard then + Might ever unburning any while bide, + Live out through the deep for the flame of the drake. + Out then from his breast, for as bollen as was he, + Let the Weder-Geats' chief the words be out faring; 2550 + The stout-hearted storm'd and the stave of him enter'd + Battle-bright sounding in under the hoar stone. + Then uproused was hate, and the hoard-warden wotted + The speech of man's word, and no more while there was + Friendship to fetch. Then forth came there first + The breath of the evil beast out from the stone, + The hot sweat of battle, and dinn'd then the earth. + The warrior beneath the burg swung up his war-round + Against that grisly guest, the lord of the Geats; + Then the heart of the ring-bow'd grew eager therewith 2560 + To seek to the strife. His sword ere had he drawn, + That good lord of the battle, the leaving of old, + The undull of edges: there was unto either + Of the bale-minded ones the fear of the other. + All steadfast of mind stood against his steep shield + The lord of the friends, when the Worm was a-bowing + Together all swiftly, in war-gear he bided; + Then boune was the burning one, bow'd in his going, + To the fate of him faring. The shield was well warding + The life and the lyke of the mighty lord king 2570 + For a lesser of whiles than his will would have had it, + If he at that frist on the first of the day + Was to wield him, as weird for him never will'd it, + The high-day of battle. His hand he up braided, + The lord of the Geats, and the grisly-fleck'd smote he + With the leaving of Ing, in such wise that the edge fail'd, + The brown blade on the bone, and less mightily bit + Than the king of the nation had need in that stour, + With troubles beset. But then the burg-warden + After the war-swing all wood of his mood 2580 + Cast forth the slaughter-flame, sprung thereon widely + The battle-gleams: nowise of victory he boasted, + The gold-friend of the Geats; his war-bill had falter'd, + All naked in war, in such wise as it should not, + The iron exceeding good. Naught was it easy + For him there, the mighty-great offspring of Ecgtheow, + That he now that earth-plain should give up for ever; + But against his will needs must he dwell in the wick + Of the otherwhere country; as ever must each man + Let go of his loan-days. Not long was it thenceforth 2590 + Ere the fell ones of fight fell together again. + The hoard-warden up-hearten'd him, welled his breast + With breathing anew. Then narrow need bore he, + Encompass'd with fire, who erst the folk wielded; + Nowise in a heap his hand-fellows there, + The bairns of the athelings, stood all about him + In valour of battle; but they to holt bow'd them; + Their dear life they warded; but in one of them welled + His soul with all sorrow. So sib-ship may never + Turn aside any whit to the one that well thinketh. 2600 + + + + + XXXVI. WIGLAF SON OF WEOHSTAN + GOES TO THE HELP OF BEOWULF: + NAEGLING, BEOWULF'S SWORD, IS BROKEN ON THE WORM. + + + Wiglaf so hight he, the son of Weohstan, + Lief linden-warrior, and lord of Scylfings, + The kinsman of Aelfhere: and he saw his man-lord + Under his host-mask tholing the heat; + He had mind of the honour that to him gave he erewhile. + The wick-stead the wealthy of them, the Waegmundings, + And the folk-rights each one which his father had owned. + Then he might not withhold him, his hand gripp'd the round, + Yellow linden; he tugg'd out withal the old sword, + That was known among men for the heirloom of Eanmund, 2610 + Ohthere's son, unto whom in the strife did become, + To the exile unfriended, Weohstan for the bane + With the sword-edge, and unto his kinsmen bare off + The helm the brown-brindled, the byrny beringed, + And the old eoten-sword that erst Onela gave him; + Were they his kinsman's weed of the war, + Host-fight-gear all ready. Of the feud nothing spake he. + Though he of his brother the bairn had o'er-thrown. + But the host-gear befretted he held many seasons, + The bill and the byrny, until his own boy might 2620 + Do him the earlship as did his ere-father. + Amidst of the Geats then he gave him the war-weed + Of all kinds unnumber'd, whenas he from life wended + Old on the forth-way. Then was the first time + For that champion the young that he the war-race + With his high lord the famed e'er he should frame: + Naught melted his mood, naught the loom of his kinsman + Weaken'd in war-tide; that found out the Worm + When they two together had gotten to come. + Now spake out Wiglaf many words rightwise, 2630 + And said to his fellows: all sad was his soul: + I remember that while when we gat us the mead, + And whenas we behight to the high lord of us + In the beer-hall, e'en he who gave us these rings, + That we for the war-gear one while would pay, + If unto him thislike need e'er should befall, + For these helms and hard swords. So he chose us from host + To this faring of war by his very own will, + Of glories he minded us, and gave me these gems here, + Whereas us of gar-warriors he counted for good, 2640 + And bold bearers of helms. Though our lord e'en for us + This work of all might was of mind all alone + Himself to be framing, the herd of the folk, + Whereas most of all men he hath mightiness framed. + Of deeds of all daring, yet now is the day come + Whereon to our man-lord behoveth the main + Of good battle-warriors; so thereunto wend we, + And help we the host-chief, whiles that the heat be, + The gleed-terror grim. Now of me wotteth God + That to me is much liefer that that, my lyke-body, 2650 + With my giver of gold the gleed should engrip. + Unmeet it methinketh that we shields should bear + Back unto our own home, unless we may erst + The foe fell adown and the life-days defend + Of the king of the Weders. Well wot I hereof + That his old deserts naught such were, that he only + Of all doughty of Geats the grief should be bearing. + Sink at strife. Unto us shall one sword be, one helm, + One byrny and shield, to both of us common. + Through the slaughter-reek waded he then, bare his war-helm 2660 + To the finding his lord, and few words he quoth: + O Beowulf the dear, now do thee all well, + As thou in thy youthful life quothest of yore, + That naught wouldst thou let, while still thou wert living, + Thy glory fade out. Now shalt thou of deeds famed, + The atheling of single heart, with all thy main deal + For the warding thy life, and to stay thee I will. + Then after these words all wroth came the Worm, + The dire guest foesome, that second of whiles + With fire-wellings flecked, his foes to go look on, 2670 + The loath men. With flame was lightly then burnt up + The board to the boss, and might not the byrny + To the warrior the young frame any help yet. + But so the young man under shield of his kinsman + Went onward with valour, whenas his own was + All undone with gleeds; then again the war-king + Remember'd his glories, and smote with mainmight + With his battle-bill, so that it stood in the head + Need-driven by war-hate. Then asunder burst Naegling, + Waxed weak in the war-tide, e'en Beowulf's sword, 2680 + The old and grey-marked; to him was not given + That to him any whit might the edges of irons + Be helpful in battle; over-strong was the hand + Which every of swords, by the hearsay of me, + With its swing over-wrought, when he bare unto strife + A wondrous hard weapon; naught it was to him better. + Then was the folk-scather for the third of times yet, + The fierce fire-drake, all mindful of feud; + He rac'd on that strong one, when was room to him given, + Hot and battle-grim; he all the halse of him gripped 2690 + With bitter-keen bones; all bebloody'd he waxed + With the gore of his soul. Well'd in waves then the war-sweat. + + + + + XXXVII. THEY TWO SLAY THE WORM. + BEOWULF IS WOUNDED DEADLY: + HE BIDDETH WIGLAF BEAR OUT THE TREASURE. + + + Then heard I that at need of the high king of folk + The upright earl made well manifest might, + His craft and his keenness as kind was to him; + The head there he heeded not (but the hand burned + Of that man of high mood when he helped his kinsman), + Whereas he now the hate-guest smote yet a deal nether, + That warrior in war-gear, whereby the sword dived, + The plated, of fair hue, and thereby fell the flame 2700 + To minish thereafter, and once more the king's self + Wielded his wit, and his slaying-sax drew out, + The bitter and battle-sharp, borne on his byrny; + Asunder the Weder's helm smote the Worm midmost; + They felled the fiend, and force drave the life out, + And they twain together had gotten him ending, + Those athelings sib. E'en such should a man be, + A thane good at need. Now that to the king was + The last victory-while, by the deeds of himself, + Of his work of the world. Sithence fell the wound, 2710 + That the earth-drake to him had wrought but erewhile. + To swell and to sweal; and this soon he found out, + That down in the breast of him bale-evil welled, + The venom withinward; then the Atheling wended, + So that he by the wall, bethinking him wisdom. + Sat on seat there and saw on the works of the giants, + How that the stone-bows fast stood on pillars, + The earth-house everlasting upheld withinward. + Then with his hand him the sword-gory, + That great king his thane, the good beyond measure, 2720 + His friend-lord with water washed full well, + The sated of battle, and unspanned his war-helm. + Forth then spake Beowulf, and over his wound said, + His wound piteous deadly; wist he full well, + That now of his day-whiles all had he dreed, + Of the joy of the earth; all was shaken asunder + The tale of his days; death without measure nigh: + Unto my son now should I be giving + My gear of the battle, if to me it were granted + Any ward of the heritage after my days 2730 + To my body belonging. This folk have I holden + Fifty winters; forsooth was never a folk-king + Of the sitters around, no one of them soothly, + Who me with the war-friends durst wend him to greet + And bear down with the terror. In home have I abided + The shapings of whiles, and held mine own well. + No wily hates sought I; for myself swore not many + Of oaths in unright. For all this may I, + Sick with the life-wounds, soothly have joy. + Therefore naught need wyte me the Wielder of men 2740 + With kin murder-bale, when breaketh asunder + My life from my lyke. And now lightly go thou + To look on the hoard under the hoar stone, + Wiglaf mine lief, now that lieth the Worm + And sleepeth sore wounded, beshorn of his treasure; + And be hasty that I now the wealth of old time, + The gold-having may look on, and yarely behold + The bright cunning gems, that the softlier may I + After the treasure-weal let go away + My life, and the folk-ship that long I have held. 2750 + + + + + XXXVIII. BEOWULF BEHOLDETH THE TREASURE AND PASSETH AWAY. + + + Then heard I that swiftly the son of that Weohstan + After this word-say his lord the sore wounded, + Battle-sick, there obeyed, and bare forth his ring-net, + His battle-sark woven, in under the burg-roof; + Saw then victory-glad as by the seat went he, + The kindred-thane moody, sun-jewels a many, + Much glistering gold lying down on the ground, + Many wonders on wall, and the den of the Worm, + The old twilight-flier; there were flagons a-standing, + The vats of men bygone, of brighteners bereft, 2760 + And maim'd of adornment; was many an helm + Rusty and old, and of arm-rings a many + Full cunningly twined. All lightly may treasure, + The gold in the ground, every one of mankind + Befool with o'erweening, hide it who will. + Likewise he saw standing a sign there all-golden + High over the hoard, the most of hand-wonders, + With limb-craft belocked, whence light a ray gleamed. + Whereby the den's ground-plain gat he to look on, + The fair works scan throughly. Not of the Worm there 2770 + Was aught to be seen now, but the edge had undone him. + Heard I then that in howe of the hoard was bereaving, + The old work of the giants, but one man alone, + Into his barm laded beakers and dishes + At his very own doom; and the sign eke he took, + The brightest of beacons. But the bill of the old lord + (The edge was of iron) erewhile it scathed + Him who of that treasure hand-bearer was + A long while, and fared a-bearing the flame-dread + Before the hoard hot, and welling of fierceness 2780 + In the midnights, until that by murder he died. + In haste was the messenger, eager of back-fare, + Further'd with fretted gems. Him longing fordid + To wot whether the bold man he quick there shall meet + In that mead-stead, e'en he the king of the Weders, + All sick of his might, whereas he erst Itft him. + He fetching the treasure then found the king mighty, + His own lord, yet there, and him ever all gory + At end of his life; and he yet once again + Fell the water to warp o'er him, till the word's point 2790 + Brake through the breast-hoard, and Beowulf spake out. + The aged, in grief as he gaz'd on the gold: + Now I for these fretworks to the Lord of all thanking, + To the King of all glory, in words am yet saying, + To the Lord ever living, for that which I look on; + Whereas such I might for the people of mine, + Ere ever my death-day, get me to own. + Now that for the treasure-hoard here have I sold + My life and laid down the same, frame still then ever + The folk-need, for here never longer I may be. 2800 + So bid ye the war-mighty work me a howe + Bright after the bale-fire at the sea's nose, + Which for a remembrance to the people of me + Aloft shall uplift him at Whale-ness for ever, + That it the sea-goers sithence may hote + Beowulf's Howe, e'en they that the high-ships + Over the flood-mists drive from afar. + Did off from his halse then a ring was all golden, + The king the great-hearted, and gave to his thane, + To the spear-warrior young his war-helm gold-brindled, 2810 + The ring and the byrny, and bade him well brook them: + Thou art the end-leaving of all of our kindred, + The Waegmundings; Weird now hath swept all away + Of my kinsmen, and unto the doom of the Maker + The earls in their might; now after them shall I. + That was to the aged lord youngest of words + Of his breast-thoughts, ere ever he chose him the bale, + The hot battle-wellings; from his heart now departed + His soul, to seek out the doom of the soothfast. + + + + + XXXIX. WIGLAF CASTETH SHAME ON THOSE FLEERS. + + + But gone was it then with the unaged man 2820 + Full hard that there he beheld on the earth + The liefest of friends at the ending of life, + Of bearing most piteous. And likewise lay his bane + The Earth-drake, the loathly fear, reft of his life, + By bale laid undone: the ring-hoards no longer + The Worm, the crook-bowed, ever might wield; + For soothly the edges of the irons him bare off, + The hard battle-sharded leavings of hammers, + So that the wide-flier stilled with wounding + Fell onto earth anigh to his hoard-hall, 2830 + Nor along the lift ever more playing he turned + At middle-nights, proud of the owning of treasure, + Show'd the face of him forth, but to earth there he fell + Because of the host-leader's work of the hand. + This forsooth on the land hath thriven to few, + Of men might and main bearing, by hearsay of mine, + Though in each of all deeds full daring he were, + That against venom-scather's fell breathing he set on, + Or the hall of his rings with hand be a-stirring, + If so be that he waking the warder had found 2840 + Abiding in burg. By Beowulf was + His deal of the king-treasure paid for by death; + There either had they fared on to the end + Of this loaned life. Long it was not until + Those laggards of battle the holt were a-leaving, + Unwarlike troth-liars, the ten there together, + Who durst not e'en now with darts to be playing + E'en in their man-lord's most mickle need. + But shamefully now their shields were they bearing, + Their weed of the battle, there where lay the aged; 2850 + They gazed on Wiglaf where weary'd he sat, + The foot-champion, hard by his very lord's shoulder, + And wak'd him with water: but no whit it sped him; + Never might he on earth howsoe'er well he will'd it + In that leader of spears hold the life any more, + Nor the will of the Wielder change ever a whit; + But still should God's doom of deeds rule the rede + For each man of men, as yet ever it doth. + Then from out of the youngling an answer full grim + Easy got was for him who had lost heart erewhile, 2860 + And word gave out Wiglaf, Weohstan's son + The sorrowful-soul'd man: on those unlief he saw: + Lo that may he say who sooth would be saying, + That the man-lord who dealt you the gift of those dear things, + The gear of the war-host wherein there ye stand, + Whereas he on the ale-bench full oft was a-giving + Unto the hall-sitters war-helm and byrny, + The king to his thanes, e'en such as he choicest + Anywhere, far or near, ever might find: + That he utterly wrongsome those weeds of the war 2870 + Had cast away, then when the war overtook him. + Surely never the folk-king of his fellows in battle + Had need to be boastful; howsoever God gave him, + The Victory-wielder, that he himself wreaked him + Alone with the edge, when to him need of might was. + Unto him of life-warding but little might I + Give there in the war-tide; and yet I began + Above measure of my might my kinsman to help; + Ever worse was the Worm then when I with sword + Smote the life-foe, and ever the fire less strongly 2880 + Welled out from his wit. Of warders o'er little + Throng'd about the king when him the battle befell. + Now shall taking of treasures and giving of swords + And all joy of your country-home fail from your kindred, + All hope wane away; of the land-right moreover + May each of the men of that kinsman's burg ever + Roam lacking; sithence that the athelings eft-soons + From afar shall have heard of your faring in flight, + Your gloryless deed. Yea, death shall be better + For each of the earls than a life ever ill-fam'd. 2890 + + + + + XL. WIGLAF SENDETH TIDING TO THE HOST: THE WORDS OF THE MESSENGER. + + + Then he bade them that war-work give out at the barriers + Up over the sea-cliff, whereas then the earl-host + The morning-long day sat sad of their mood, + The bearers of war-boards, in weening of both things, + Either the end-day, or else the back-coming + Of the lief man. Forsooth he little was silent + Of the new-fallen tidings who over the ness rode, + But soothly he said over all there a-sitting: + Now is the will-giver of the folk of the Weders, + The lord of the Geats, fast laid in the death-bed, 2900 + In the slaughter-rest wonneth he by the Worm's doings. + And beside him yet lieth his very life-winner + All sick with the sax-wounds; with sword might he never + On the monster, the fell one, in any of manners + Work wounding at all. There yet sitteth Wiglaf, + Weohstan's own boy, over Beowulf king, + One earl over the other, over him the unliving; + With heart-honours holdeth he head-ward withal + Over lief, over loath. But to folk is a weening + Of war-tide as now, so soon as unhidden 2910 + To Franks and to Frisians the fall of the king + Is become over widely. Once was the strife shapen + Hard 'gainst the Hugs, sithence Hygelac came + Faring with float-host to Frisian land, + Whereas him the Hetware vanquish'd in war, + With might gat the gain, with o'er-mickle main; + The warrior bebyrny'd he needs must bow down: + He fell in the host, and no fretted war-gear + Gave that lord to the doughty, but to us was aye sithence + The mercy ungranted that was of the Merwing. 2920 + Nor do I from the Swede folk of peace or good faith + Ween ever a whit. For widely 'twas wotted + That Ongentheow erst had undone the life + Of Haethcyn the Hrethel's son hard by the Raven-wood, + Then when in their pride the Scylfings of war + Erst gat them to seek to the folk of the Geats. + Unto him soon the old one, the father of Ohthere, + The ancient and fearful gave back the hand-stroke, + Brake up the sea-wise one, rescued his bride. + The aged his spouse erst, bereft of the gold, 2930 + Mother of Onela, yea and of Ohthere; + And follow'd up thereon his foemen the deadly, + Until they betook them and sorrowfully therewith + Unto the Raven-holt, reft of their lord. + With huge host then beset he the leaving of swords + All weary with wounds, and woe he behight them, + That lot of the wretched, the livelong night through; + Quoth he that the morrow's morn with the swords' edges + He would do them to death, hang some on the gallows + For a game unto fowl. But again befell comfort 2940 + To the sorry of mood with the morrow-day early; + Whereas they of Hygelac's war-horn and trumpet + The voice wotted, whenas the good king his ways came + Faring on in the track of his folk's doughty men. + + + + + XLI. MORE WORDS OF THE MESSENGER. + HOW HE FEARS THE SWEDES WHEN THEY WOT OF BEOWULF DEAD. + + + Was the track of the war-sweat of Swedes and of Geats, + The men's slaughter-race, right wide to be seen, + How those folks amongst them were waking the feud. + Departed that good one, and went with his fellows, + Old and exceeding sad, fastness to seek; + The earl Ongentheow upward returned; 2950 + Of Hygelac's battle-might oft had he heard, + The war-craft of the proud one; in withstanding he trow'd not, + That he to the sea-folk in fight might debate, + Or against the sea-farers defend him his hoard, + His bairns and his bride. He bow'd him aback thence, + The old under the earth-wall. Then was the chase bidden + To the Swede-folk, and Hygelac's sign was upreared, + And the plain of the peace forth on o'er-pass'd they, + After the Hrethlings onto the hedge throng'd. + There then was Ongentheow by the swords' edges, 2960 + The blent-hair'd, the hoary one, driven to biding, + So that the folk-king fain must he take + Sole doom of Eofor. Him in his wrath then + Wulf the Wonreding reach'd with his weapon, + So that from the stroke sprang the war-sweat in streams + Forth from under his hair; yet naught fearsome was he, + The aged, the Scylfing, but paid aback rathely + With chaffer that worse was that war-crash of slaughter, + Sithence the folk-king turned him thither; + And nowise might the brisk one that son was of Wonred 2970 + Unto the old carle give back the hand-slaying, + For that he on Wulf's head the helm erst had sheared, + So that all with the blood stained needs must he bow, + And fell on the field; but not yet was he fey, + But he warp'd himself up, though the wound had touch'd nigh. + But thereon the hard Hygelac's thane there, + Whenas down lay his brother, let the broad blade, + The old sword of eotens, that helm giant-fashion'd + Break over the board-wall, and down the king bowed, + The herd of the folk unto fair life was smitten. 2980 + There were many about there who bound up his kinsman, + Upraised him swiftly when room there was made them, + That the slaughter-stead there at the stour they might wield, + That while when was reaving one warrior the other: + From Ongentheow took he the iron-wrought byrny, + The hard-hilted sword, with his helm all together: + The hoary one's harness to Hygelac bare he; + The fret war-gear then took he, and fairly behight him + Before the folk due gifts, and even so did it; + Gild he gave for that war-race, the lord of the Geats, 2990 + The own son of Hrethel, when home was he come, + To Eofor and Wulf gave he over-much treasure, + To them either he gave an hundred of thousands, + Land and lock'd rings. Of the gift none needed to wyte him + Of mid earth, since the glory they gained by battle. + Then to Eofor he gave his one only daughter, + An home-worship soothly, for pledge of his good will. + That is the feud and the foeship full soothly, + The dead-hate of men, e'en as I have a weening, + Wherefor the Swede people against us shall seek, 3000 + Sithence they have learned that lieth our lord + All lifeless; e'en he that erewhile hath held + Against all the haters the hoard and the realm; + Who after the heroes' fall held the fierce Scylfings, + Framed the folk-rede, and further thereto + Did earlship-deeds. Now is haste best of all + That we now the folk-king should fare to be seeing, + And then that we bring him who gave us the rings + On his way to the bale: nor shall somewhat alone + With the moody be molten; but manifold hoard is, 3010 + Gold untold of by tale that grimly is cheapened, + And now at the last by this one's own life + Are rings bought, and all these the brand now shall fret, + The flame thatch them over: no earl shall bear off + One gem in remembrance; nor any fair maiden + Shall have on her halse a ring-honour thereof, + But in grief of mood henceforth, bereaved of gold, + Shall oft, and not once alone, alien earth tread, + Now that the host-learn'd hath laid aside laughter, + The game and the glee-joy. Therefore shall the spear, 3020 + Full many a morn-cold, of hands be bewounden, + Uphoven in hand; and no swough of the harp + Shall waken the warriors; but the wan raven rather + Fain over the fey many tales shall tell forth, + And say to the erne how it sped him at eating, + While he with the wolf was a-spoiling the slain. + So was the keen-whetted a-saying this while + Spells of speech loathly; he lied not much + Of weirds or of words. Then uprose all the war-band, + And unblithe they wended under the Ernes-ness, 3030 + All welling of tears, the wonder to look on. + Found they then on the sand, now lacking of soul, + Holding his bed, him that gave them the rings + In time erewhile gone by. But then was the end-day + Gone for the good one; since the king of the battle, + The lord of the Weders, in wonder-death died. + But erst there they saw a more seldom-seen sight, + The Worm on the lea-land over against him + Down lying there loathly; there was the fire-drake, + The grim of the terrors, with gleeds all beswealed. 3040 + He was of fifty feet of his measure + Long of his lying. Lift-joyance held he + In the whiles of the night, but down again wended + To visit his den. Now fast was he in death, + He had of the earth-dens the last end enjoyed. + There by him now stood the beakers and bowls, + There lay the dishes and dearly-wrought swords, + Rusty, through-eaten they, as in earth's bosom + A thousand of winters there they had wonned. + For that heritage there was, all craftily eked, 3050 + Gold of the yore men, in wizardry wounden; + So that that ring-hall might none reach thereto, + Not any of mankind but if God his own self, + Sooth king of victories, gave unto whom he would + (He is holder of men) to open that hoard, + E'en to whichso of mankind should seem to him meet. + + + + + XLII. THEY GO TO LOOK ON THE FIELD OF DEED. + + + Then it was to be seen that throve not the way + To him that unrightly had hidden within there + The fair gear 'neath the wall. The warder erst slew + Some few of folk, and the feud then became 3060 + Wrothfully wreaked. A wonder whenas + A valour-strong earl may reach on the ending + Of the fashion of life, when he longer in nowise + One man with his kinsmen may dwell in the mead-hall! + So to Beowulf was it when the burg's ward he sought. + For the hate of the weapons: he himself knew not + Wherethrough forsooth his world's sundering should be. + So until Doomsday they cursed it deeply, + Those princes the dread, who erst there had done it, + That that man should be of sins never sackless, 3070 + A-hoppled in shrines, in hell-bonds fast set, + With plague-spots be punish'd, who that plain should plunder. + But naught gold-greedy was he, more gladly had he + The grace of the Owner erst gotten to see. + Now spake out Wiglaf, that son was of Weohstan: + Oft shall many an earl for the will but of one + Dree the wrack, as to us even now is befallen: + Nowise might we learn the lief lord of us, + The herd of the realm, any of rede, + That he should not go greet that warder of gold, 3080 + But let him live yet, whereas long he was lying, + And wonne in his wicks until the world's ending; + But he held to high weird and the hoard hath been seen, + Grimly gotten: o'er hard forsooth was that giving, + That the king of the folk e'en thither enticed. + Lo! I was therein, and I look'd it all over, + The gear of the house, when for me room was gotten, + But I lightly in nowise had leave for the passage + In under the earth-wall; in haste I gat hold + Forsooth with my hands of a mickle main burden 3090 + Of hoard-treasures, and hither then out did I bear them, + Out unto my king, and then quick was he yet, + Wise, and wit-holding: a many things spake he, + That aged in grief-care, and bade me to greet you, + And prayed ye would do e'en after your friend's deeds + Aloft in the bale-stead a howe builded high, + Most mickle and mighty, as he amongst men was + The worthfullest warrior wide over the world, + While he the burg-weal erewhile might brook. + Then so let us hasten this second of whiles 3100 + To see and to seek the throng of things strange, + The wonder 'neath wall; I shall wise you the way, + So that ye from a-near may look on enough + Of rings and broad gold; and be the bier swiftly + All yare thereunto, whenas out we shall fare. + Then let us so ferry the lord that was ours, + The lief man of men, to where long shall he + In the All-Wielder's keeping full patiently wait. + Bade then to bid the bairn of that Weohstan, + The deer of the battle, to a many of warriors, 3110 + The house-owning wights, that the wood of the bale + They should ferry from far, e'en the folk-owning men, + Toward the good one. And now shall the gleed fret away, + The wan flame a-waxing, the strong one of warriors, + Him who oft-times abided the shower of iron + When the storm of the shafts driven on by the strings + Shook over the shield-wall, and the shaft held its service, + And eager with feather-gear follow'd the barb. + Now then the wise one, that son was of Weohstan, + Forth from the throng then call'd of the king's thanes 3120 + A seven together, the best to be gotten, + And himself went the eighth in under the foe-roof; + One man of the battlers in hand there he bare + A gleam of the fire, of the first went he inward. + It was nowise allotted who that hoard should despoil, + Sithence without warden some deal that there was + The men now beheld in the hall there a-wonning, + Lying there fleeting; little mourn'd any, + That they in all haste outward should ferry + The dear treasures. But forthwith the drake did they shove, 3130 + The Worm, o'er the cliff-wall, and let the wave take him, + The flood fathom about the fretted works' herd. + There then was wounden gold on the wain laden + Untold of each kind, and the Atheling borne, + The hoary of warriors, out on to Whale-ness. + + + + + XLIII. OF THE BURIAL OF BEOWULF. + + + For him then they geared, the folk of the Geats, + A pile on the earth all unweaklike that was, + With war-helms behung, and with boards of the battle, + And bright byrnies, e'en after the boon that he bade. + Laid down then amidmost their king mighty-famous 3140 + The warriors lamenting, the lief lord of them. + Began on the burg of bale-fires the biggest + The warriors to waken: the wood-reek went up + Swart over the smoky glow, sound of the flame + Bewound with the weeping (the wind-blending stilled), + Until it at last the bone-house had broken + Hot at the heart. All unglad of mind + With mood-care they mourned their own liege lord's quelling. + Likewise a sad lay the wife of aforetime + For Beowulf the king, with her hair all upbounden, 3150 + Sang sorrow-careful; said oft and over + That harm-days for herself in hard wise she dreaded, + The slaughter-falls many, much fear of the warrior, + The shaming and bondage. Heaven swallow'd the reek. + Wrought there and fashion'd the folk of the Weders + A howe on the lithe, that high was and broad. + Unto the wave-farers wide to be seen: + Then it they betimber'd in time of ten days, + The battle-strong's beacon; the brands' very-leavings + They bewrought with a wall in the worthiest of ways, 3160 + That men of all wisdom might find how to work. + Into burg then they did the rings and bright sun-gems, + And all such adornments as in the hoard there + The war-minded men had taken e'en now; + The earls' treasures let they the earth to be holding, + Gold in the grit, wherein yet it liveth, + As useless to men-folk as ever it erst was. + Then round the howe rode the deer of the battle, + The bairns of the athelings, twelve were they in all. + Their care would they mourn, and bemoan them their king, 3170 + The word-lay would they utter and over the man speak: + They accounted his earlship and mighty deeds done, + And doughtily deem'd them; as due as it is + That each one his friend-lord with words should belaud, + And love in his heart, whenas forth shall he + Away from the body be fleeting at last. + In such wise they grieved, the folk of the Geats, + For the fall of their lord, e'en they his hearth-fellows; + Quoth they that he was a world-king forsooth, + The mildest of all men, unto men kindest, 3180 + To his folk the most gentlest, most yearning of fame. + + + + +PERSONS AND PLACES + +(_Numbers refer to Pages_) + + [Transcriber's Note: + In this and the following section, page numbers in parentheses are + accompanied by a line reference in brackets.] + + +BEANSTAN, father of Breca (31 [524]). + +Beowulf the Dane (not Beowulf the Geat, the hero of the poem) was the +grandfather of Hrothgar (2, 4 [18, 53]). + +Beowulf the Geat. _See_ the Argument. + +Breca (30 [506]), who contended with Beowulf in swimming, was a chief of +the Brondings (31 [521]). + +Brisings' neck-gear (70 [1199]). "This necklace is the Brisinga-men, the +costly necklace of Freyja, which she won from the dwarfs and which was +stolen from her by Loki, as is told in the Edda" (Kemble). In our poem, +it is said that Hama carried off this necklace when he fled from +Eormenric, king of the Ostrogoths. + + +DAYRAVEN (143 [2500]), a brave warrior of the Hugs, and probably the +slayer of Hygelac, whom, in that case, Beowulf avenged. + + +EADGILS, Eanmund (136, 137 [2379, 2391]), "sons of Ohthere," and nephews +of the Swedish King Onela, by whom they were banished from their native +land for rebellion. They took refuge at the court of the Geat King +Heardred, and Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn," enraged at their finding an +asylum with his hereditary foes, invaded Geatland, and slew Heardred. At +a later time Beowulf, when king of the Geats, balanced the feud by +supporting Eadgils in an invasion of Sweden, in which King Onela was +slain. + +Eanmund (149 [2610]), while in exile at the court of the Geats, was +slain by Weohstan, father of Wiglaf, and stripped of the armour given +him by his uncle, the Swedish King Onela. Weohstan "spake not about the +feud, although he had slain Onela's brother's son," probably because he +was not proud of having slain an "exile unfriended" in a private +quarrel. + +Ecglaf, father of Unferth, Hrothgar's spokesman (29 [499]). + +Ecgtheow (22 [373]), father of Beowulf the Geat, by the only daughter of +Hrethel, king of the Geats. Having slain Heatholaf, a warrior of the +Wylfings, Ecgtheow sought protection at the court of the Danish King +Hrothgar, who accepted his fealty and settled the feud by a +money-payment (27 [463]). Hence the heartiness of Beowulf's welcome at +Hrothgar's hands. + +Ecgwela. The Scyldings or Danes are once called "Ecgwela's offspring" +(99 [1710]). He may have been the founder of the older dynasty of Danish +kings which ended with Heremod. + +Eofor (142, 167-9 [2485, 2963-2996]), a Geat warrior, brother of Wulf. +He came to the aid of his brother in his single combat with the Swedish +King Ongentheow, and slew the king, being rewarded by Hygelac with the +hand of his only daughter. + +Eotens (61, 62, 66 [1072, 1088, 1141]) are the people of Finn, king of +Friesland. In other passages, it is merely a name for a race of +monsters. + + +FINN (61-7 [1068-1156]). The somewhat obscure Finn episode in _Beowulf_ +appears to be part of a Finn epic, of which only the merest fragment, +called the _Fight at Finnsburg_, is extant. The following conjectured +outline of the whole story is based on this fragment and on the Beowulf +episode; Finn, king of the Frisians, had carried off Hildeburh, daughter +of Hoc, probably with her consent. Her father, Hoc, seems to have +pursued the fugitives, and to have been slain in the fight which ensued +on his overtaking them. After the lapse of some twenty years Hoc's sons, +Hnaef and Hengest, are old enough to undertake the duty of avenging their +father's death. They make an inroad into Finn's country, and a battle +takes place in which many warriors, among them Hnaef and a son of Finn, +are killed. Peace is then solemnly concluded, and the slain warriors are +burnt. As the year is too far advanced for Hengest to return home, he +and those of his men who survive remain for the winter in the Frisian +country with Finn. But Hengest's thoughts dwell constantly on the death +of his brother Hnaef, and he would gladly welcome any excuse to break the +peace which had been sworn by both parties. His ill-concealed desire for +revenge is noticed by the Frisians, who anticipate it by themselves +attacking Hengest and his men whilst they are sleeping in the hall. This +is the night attack described in the _Fight at Finnsburg_. It would seem +that after a brave and desperate resistance Hengest himself falls in +this fight at the hands of the son of Hunlaf (66 [1143]), but two of his +retainers, Guthlaf and Oslaf, succeed in cutting their way through their +enemies and in escaping to their own land. They return with fresh +troops, attack and slay Finn, and carry his queen Hildeburh back to the +Daneland. + +Folkwalda (62 [1089]), father of Finn. + +Franks (70, 165 [1210, 2911]). Hygelac, king of the Geats, was defeated +and slain early in the sixth century, in his historical invasion of the +Netherlands, by a combined army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs. + +Freawaru (116 [2022]), daughter of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow. Beowulf +tells Hygelac that her father has betrothed her to Ingeld, prince of the +Heathobards, in the hope of settling the feud between the two peoples. +But he prophesies that the hope will prove vain: for an old Heathobard +warrior, seeing a Danish chieftain accompany Freawaru to their court +laden with Heathobard spoils, will incite the son of the former owner of +the plundered treasure to revenge, until blood is shed, and the feud is +renewed. That this was what afterwards befell, we learn from the Old +English poem _Widsith_. _See also_ ll. 83-5. + +Friesland (65 [1126]), the land of the North Frisians. + +Frieslands (135 [2356]), Frisian land (165 [2914]), the home of the West +Frisians. + +Frisians. Two tribes are to be distinguished: 1. The North Frisians (61, +63 [1070, 1093]), the people of Finn. 2. The West Frisians (143, 165 +[2502, 2911]), who combined with the Franks and Hugs and defeated +Hygelac, between 512 and 520 A.D. + +Froda (117 [2025]), father of Ingeld. _See_ Freawaru. + + +GUTHLAF and Oslaf (66 [1148]). _See_ Finn. + + +HAERETH (112, 114 [1929, 1981]), father of Hygd, wife of Hygelac. + +Haethcyn (139, 142, 165 [2433, 2481, 2924]), second son of Hrethel, king +of the Geats, and thus elder brother of Hygelac. He accidentally killed +his elder brother Herebeald with a bow-shot, to the inconsolable grief +of Hrethel. He succeeded to the throne at his father's death, but fell +in battle at Ravenwood (165 [2924]) by the hand of the Swedish King +Ongentheow. + +Half-Danes (61 [1069]), the tribe to which Hnaef belongs. _See_ Finn. + +Hama (69 [1198]). _See_ Brisings. + +Healfdene (4 [57]), king of the Danes, son of Beowulf the Scylding, and +father of Hrothgar, "Healfdene's son" (16 [268]). + +Heardred (126, 136-7 [2202, 2374-2387]), son of Hygelac and Hygd. While +still under age he succeeds his father as king of the Geats, Beowulf, +who has refused the throne himself, being his counsellor and protector. +He is slain by "Ongentheow's bairn" (137 [2386]), Onela, king of the +Swedes. + +Heathobards, Lombards, the tribe of Ingeld, the betrothed of Freawaru, +Hrothgar's daughter (117 [2032]). + +Heatholaf (27 [460]). _See_ Ecgtheow. + +Helmings. "The Dame of the Helmings" (36 [620]) is Hrothgar's queen, +Wealhtheow. + +Hemming. "The Kinsman of Hemming" is a name for Offa (112 [1944]) and +for his son Eomaer (113 [1961]). + +Hengest (62-5 [1083-1127]). _See_ Finn. + +Heorogar (5 [61]), elder brother of Hrothgar (27 [467]), did not leave +his armour to his son Heoroward (124 [2158]); but Hrothgar gives it to +Beowulf, and Beowulf gives it to Hygelac. + +Herebeald (139, 141 [2433, 2462]), eldest son of the Geat King Hrethel, +was accidentally shot dead with an arrow by his brother Haethcyn. + +Heremod (53, 99 [915, 1709]) is twice spoken of as a bad and cruel +Danish king. In the end he is betrayed into the hands of his foes. + +Hereric may have been brother of Hygd, Hygelac's queen, for their son +Heardred is spoken of as "the nephew of Hereric" (126 [2206]). + +Here-Scyldings (64 [1108]), Army-Scyldings, a name of the Danes. + +Hetware (135, 165 [2362, 2915]), the Hattuarii of the _Historia +Francorum_ of Gregory of Tours and of the _Gesta Regum Francorum_, were +the tribe against which Hygelac was raiding when he was defeated and +slain by an army of Frisians, Franks, and Hugs. + +Hildeburh (61, 64 [1071, 1114]). _See_ Finn. + +Hnaef (61, 64 [1069, 1114]). _See_ Finn. + +Hoc (62 [1076]). _See_ Finn. + +Hrethel, a former king of the Geats; son of Swerting (70 [1202]), father +of Hygelac and grandfather of Beowulf (22 [374]), to whom he left his +coat of mail (26 [454]). He died of grief at the loss of his eldest son +Herebeald (139-42) [2429-2473], who was accidentally slain by his brother +Haethcyn. + + [Transcriber's Note: + Page 70 [l. 1202] text reads "Hygelac ... grandson of Swerting." + Hrethel is not named.] + +Hrethlings (167 [2959]), the people of Hrethel, the Geats. + +Hrethmen (26 [445]), Triumph-men, the Danes. + +Hrethric (69, 106 [1189, 1836]), elder son of Hrothgar and Wealhtheow. + +Hrothgar. _See_ the Argument. + +Hrothulf (59, 68 [1017, 1181]), probably the son of Hrothgar's younger +brother Halga (5 [61]). He lives at the Danish court. Wealhtheow hopes +that, if he survives Hrothgar, he will be good to their children in +return for their kindness to him. It would seem that this hope was not +to be fulfilled ("yet of kindred unsunder'd," 67 [1164]). + +Hygd, daughter of Haereth, wife of Hygelac, the king of the Geats, and +mother of Heardred. She may well be "the wife of aforetime" (177 +[3149]). + +Hygelac, third son of Hrethel (139 [2433]) and uncle to Beowulf, is the +reigning king of the Geats during the greater part of the action of the +poem. When his brother Haethcyn was defeated and slain by Ongentheow at +Ravenwood (165 [2923]), Hygelac quickly went in pursuit and put +Ongentheow to flight; but although, as leader of the attack, he is +called "the banesman of Ongentheow" (114 [1986]), the actual slayer was +Eofor (142, 167 [2485, 2963]), whom Hygelac rewarded with the hand of +his only daughter (169 [2996]). Hygelac came by his death between 512 +and 520 A.D., in his historical invasion of the Netherlands, which is +referred to in the poem four times (70, 135, 143, 165 [1207, 2356, 2502, +2911]). + + +ING (147 [2576]). _See_ Ingwines. + +Ingeld (119 [2064]). _See_ Freawaru. + +Ingwines (60, 77 [1044, 1319]), "friends of Ing," the Danes. Ing, +according to the Old English _Rune-Poem_, "was first seen by men amid +the East Danes"; he has been identified with Frea. + + +MERWING, The (165 [2920]), the Merovingian king of the Franks. + + +OFFA (113 [1949]). _See_ Thrytho. + +Ohthere (136-7, 165 [2379-2393, 2927]), son of the Swedish King +Ongentheow, and father of Eanmund and Eadgils (_q.v._). + +Onela, "Ongentheow's bairn" (137 [2386]) and elder brother of Ohthere, +is king of Sweden ("the helm of the Scylfings," 136 [2380]) at the time +of the rebellion of Eanmund and Eadgils. He invades the land of the +Geats, which has harboured the rebels, slays Heardred, son of Hygelac, +and then retreats before Beowulf. At a later time Beowulf avenges the +death of Heardred by supporting Eadgils, "son of Ohthere" (137 [2393]), +in an invasion of Sweden, in which Onela is slain. _See also_ Eadgils; +and compare the slaying of Ali by Athils on the ice of Lake Wener in the +Icelandic "Heimskringla." + +Ongentheow, father of Onela and Ohthere, was a former king of the +Swedes. The earlier strife between the Swedes and the Geats, in which he +is the chief figure, is fully related by the messenger (164 [2891]) who +brings the tidings of Beowulf's death. In retaliation for the marauding +invasions of Onela and Ohthere (142 [2474]), Haethcyn invaded Sweden, and +took Ongentheow's queen prisoner. Ongentheow in return invaded the land +of her captor, whom he slew, and rescued his wife (165 [2923]); but in +his hour of triumph he was attacked in his turn by Hygelac near +Ravenwood, and fell by the hand of Eofor (168 [2960]). + + +SCANEY (97 [1686]), Scede-lands (2 [19]), the most southern portion of +the Scandinavian peninsula, belonging to the Danes; used in our poem for +the whole Danish kingdom. + +Scyld (1 [4]), son of Sheaf, was the mythical founder of the royal +Danish dynasty of Scyldings. + +Scyldings, descendants of Scyld, properly the name of the reigning +Danish dynasty, is commonly extended to include the Danish people (3 +[30]). + +Scylfing: "the Scylfing" (167 [2967]), "the aged of Scylfings" (142 +[2486]), is Ongentheow. + +Scylfings (136 [2380]), the name of the reigning Swedish dynasty, was +extended to the Swedish people in the same way as "Scyldings" to the +Danes. Beowulf's kinsman Wiglaf is called "lord of Scylfings" (149 +[2601]), and in another passage the name is apparently applied to the +Geats (170 [3004]); this seems to point to a common ancestry of Swedes +and Geats, or it may be that Beowulf's father Ecgtheow was a "Scylfing." + + +THRYTHO (112 [1931]), wife of the Angle King Offa and mother of Eomaer, +is mentioned in contrast to Hygd, just as Heremod is a foil to Beowulf. +She is at first the type of a cruel, unwomanly queen. But by her +marriage with Offa, who seems to be her second husband, she is subdued +and changed until her fame even adds glory to his. + + +UNFERTH, son of Ecglaf, is the spokesman of Hrothgar, at whose feet he +sits. He is of a jealous disposition, and is twice spoken of as the +murderer of his own brothers (34, 67 [587, 1165]). Taunting Beowulf with +defeat in his swimming-match with Breca, he is silenced by the hero's +reply, and more effectually still by the issue of the struggle with +Grendel (57 [980]). Afterwards, however, he lends his sword Hrunting for +Beowulf's encounter with Grendel's mother (85, 104 [1465, 1808]). + + +WAEGMUNDINGS (149, 160 [2605, 2803]), the family to which both Beowulf +and Wiglaf belong. Their fathers, Ecgtheow and Weohstan, may have been +sons of Waegmund. + +Wedermark (17 [298]), the land of the Weder-Geats, _i.e._ the Geats. + +Weders, Weder-Geats (13, 86, 122 [225, 1492, 2120]), Geats. + +Weland (26 [455]), the Voelund of the Edda, the famous smith of Teutonic +legend, was the maker of Beowulf's coat of mail. See the figured casket +in the British Museum; and compare "Wayland Smith's Cave" near the White +Horse, in Berkshire. + +Weohstan was the father of Beowulf's kinsman and faithful henchman +Wiglaf, and the slayer of Eanmund (149 [2601]). + +Wonred, father of "Wulf the Wonreding" (167 [2964]), and of Eofor. + +Wulf (167 [2964]). _See_ Eofor. + +Wulfgar, "a lord of the Wendels" (20 [348]), is an official of +Hrothgar's court, where he is the first to greet Beowulf and his Geats, +and introduces them to Hrothgar. + +Wythergyld (118 [2051]) is a warrior of the Heathobards. + + + + +THE MEANING OF SOME WORDS NOT COMMONLY USED NOW + +(_Numbers refer to Pages_) + + [Transcriber's Note: + In this and the previous section, page numbers in parentheses are + accompanied by a line reference in brackets.] + + + _A-banning, the work was_ (5) [74], orders for the work were given. + _Arede_ (119) [2056], possess. + _Atheling_, prince, noble, noble warrior. + + _Barm_, lap, bosom. + _Behalsed_ (5 [63]), embraced by the neck. + _Berne_, man, warrior, hero. + _Bestead_ (143 [2499]), served. + _Beswealed_, scorched, burnt. + _Beswinked_, sweated. + _Birlers_, cup-bearers. + _Board_, shield. + _Bode_, announce. + _Bollen_, swollen, angry. + _Boot_ (9 [158]), compensation. + _Boun_ (18 [301]), made ready. + _Braided_ (147 [2574]), drew, lifted. + _Brim_, sea. + _Brook_, use, enjoy. + _Burg_, fortified place, stronghold, mount, barrow; protection; + protector; family (163 [2886]). + _Byrny_, coat of mail. + + _Devil-dray_, nest of devils. Cf. _squirrel's-dray_, common in Berks; + used by Cowper. + _Dreary_, bloody. + _Dree_, do, accomplish, suffer, enjoy, spend (155 [2725]). + + _Ealdor_, chief, lord. + _Eme_, uncle. + _Eoten_, giant, monster, enemy. + + _Fathom_, embrace. + _Feeless_, not to be atoned for with money. + _Ferry_, bring, carry. + _Fifel_, monster. + _Flyting_, contending, scolding. + _Fold_, the earth. + _Forheed_, disregard. + _Forwritten_, proscribed. + _Frist_, space of time, delay. + + _Gar_, spear. + _Graithly_, readily, well. + + _Halse_, neck. + _Hand-shoal_, band of warriors. + _Hery_, praise. + _Hild-play_, battle. + _Holm_, ocean, sea. + _Holm-throng_, eddy of the sea. + _Holt_, wood. + _Hote_, call. + _Howe_, mound, burial-mound. + _Hythe_, ferry, haven. + + _Kemp_, champion, fighter. + + _Lithe_, slope. + _Loom_, heirloom. + _Low_ (133 [2320]), flame. + _Lyke_, body. + + _Moody_, brave, proud. + + _Nicors_, sea-monsters. + _Nithing_ (12 [193]), spite, malice. + + _O'erthinking_, overweening, arrogance. + + _Rail, railings_, coat, armour. + _Rimed_, counted, reckoned. + + _Sea-lode_, sea-voyage. + _Sin_, malice, hatred, hostility. + _Skinked_, poured out. + _Slot_, track. + _Staple_, threshold. + _Stone-bow_, arch of stone. + _Sty_, stride, ascend, descend. + _Sweal_, burn. + + _Through-witting_, understanding. + + _Undern_, from 9 o'clock till 12 o'clock; "at undren and at middai," + O.E. Miscellany. + + _Warths_, shores, still in use at Wick St. Lawrence, in Somerset. + _Wick_, dwelling. + _Wick-stead_, dwelling-place. + _Wise_, direct, show. + _Wit-lust_, curiosity. + _Worth_, shall be. + _Wreak_, utter. + _Wyte_, blame, charge with. + _Yare_, ready. + _Yode_, went. + + + + + * * * * * + + + +Errors and Inconsistencies + + List of Names + + Dayraven, Ravenwood + _both names hyphenated in body text_ + Freawaru + _text reads "Ereawaru"_ + Hrethel ... at the loss of his eldest son Herebeald (139-42) + _text reads "-41"_ + Wythergyld + _name spelled "Withergyld" in body text_ + + Glossary + + _Arede_ (119) [2056], possess. + _text reads "(118)"_ + + + +***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE TALE OF BEOWULF*** + + +******* This file should be named 20431.txt or 20431.zip ******* + + +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: +http://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/2/0/4/3/20431 + + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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